Solskjaer confirms Lindelof problem
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has explained his half-time substitution during the 2-1 defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir.
The Reds trailed at the interval and were unable to mount a response after the break, despite Anthony Martial's goal before the half-time whistle.
It added up to a bitterly disappointing evening in Turkey, with the Reds failing to add to our six-point tally in Group H.
Ole's post-match interview
The manager gives his take on a disappointing night for United in Istanbul...
Although Victor Lindelof travelled and was among the substitutes, he is nursing a back problem, which is why he was not the replacement for Axel Tuanzebe at the break.
Ole was concerned that Tuanzebe was on a yellow card as he knew more risks needed to be taken in a bid to chase the game.
However, it was Scott McTominay who came on in midfield, with Nemanja Matic reverting to defence, alongside skipper Harry Maguire.
"We decided to make a few changes," Ole said of his XI. "Nothing especially different to what we've always done tactically. We just didn't perform. I think these players have played loads of games together, it was just maybe Donny [van de Beek] was the new addition.
“Victor has got a bad back so he couldn't play and Axel stepped in."
When asked if it was a tactical decision to replace Tuanzebe at half-time, Ole replied on BT Sport: "Well, it’s a yellow card here. We needed to go for it and gamble to go forward, so the yellow card made my decision there."
We will hope to get an update from the boss on Friday on whether Lindelof will be available for Saturday's lunchtime encounter with Everton at Goodison Park.