Why Ralf took Pogba off

Our ever-influential France midfielder was chosen to start the clash in West Yorkshire and his driving runs from the middle of park were a key attacking influence throughout his near 70 minutes on the pitch.

With Pogba having just returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Rangnick was keen to elaborate on his decision to withdraw Paul, as well as provide an update as to where he feels our no.6 is best suited to play.

“He did well in the first half, but he didn't play from the wing, he played as one of the two eights along with Bruno,” began Ralf in his post-match briefing. 

“On the wing we played with Jesse Lingard and Jadon Sancho and he [Pogba] did great, but after 60 minutes you could see him starting to tire, which is normal after such a long injury break.

“It was great however to bring on two energetic players like Fred and Anthony Elanga.”

With both Fred and Elanga finding the net after their respective introductions, United avoided a second-half scare after Marcelo Bielsa’s side netted twice in the space of 60 seconds, drawing the score level at 2-2.

The Reds remain in fourth position in the Premier League following our triumph over the Whites, with Rangnick insisting the sole purpose of his substitutions involving both Fred and Elanga was not for them to aid United’s hopes of winning the game...

“With them both scoring in the end this is the best part of it but I didn't bring them on actually to score goals,” Ralf added.

“It was more about getting more energy into the team and playing in the similar style to how we played in the first half.”