Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has explained that he substituted Paul Pogba during Sunday’s Premier League win over Leeds to bring more energy into the team.
Pogba was withdrawn with more than 20 minutes to go at Elland Road, with the visiting United having already surrendered a two-goal lead and looking for a way to get back ahead.
The Frenchman’s quality had been a key factor in going ahead, but it was just his fifth game back since recovering from a long-term injury layoff and Rangnick admitted fatigue was creeping in.
Pogba was replaced by Fred, with Anthony Elanga coming on for Jesse Lingard at the same time. Within minutes, Fred had scored a rare goal to restore United’s lead, while Elanga, who was struck by an object thrown from the crowd during those celebrations, later sealed victory with another.
“[Pogba] did great but after 60 minutes he was a little bit tired, which is normal after such a long injury break, and it was great to bring on two energetic players like Fred and Anthony Elanga. They both scored in the end,” Rangnick said in post-match media duties.
The German coach was primarily opting for Fred and Elanga for a boost, not expecting them to get on the score-sheet and actually decide the game in that sense.
"This is the best part of it,” he added. “I didn't bring them on to score goals, it was about getting more energy to the team again and play in a similar style to we played in the first half.”
The result marked a second successive Premier League win for United after seeing off Brighton last week. It further strengthens their top four hopes after West Ham dropped more points on Saturday.
Next weekend is a chance to exact some revenge over Watford at Old Trafford after an embarrassing defeat to the Hornets back in November. First, however, it is a trip to Spain in the Champions League last 16 on Wednesday to face Atletico Madrid.
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Source : 90min