90min

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer & Paul Pogba explain half-time substitution against Granada

By Jamie Spencer

Paul Pogba was subbed at half-time against Granada but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had a good reason
Paul Pogba was subbed at half-time against Granada but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had a good reason / Visionhaus/Getty Images
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Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has said that manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was right to substitute him at half-time during Thursday night’s Europa League quarter-final second leg because the Granada players were trying to get him sent off.

Pogba captained United in Harry Maguire’s absence, but what should have been a proud night for the Frenchman only lasted 45 minutes as he was withdrawn at the interval following an early yellow card.

Pogba's evening as Man Utd captain lasted only 45 minutes
Pogba's evening as Man Utd captain lasted only 45 minutes / Stu Forster/Getty Images

United already had the tie in the bag at that stage, leading 3-0 on aggregate before eventually extending that margin later on, and Pogba has no qualms about coming off in the circumstances.

“There were some tackles, yellow cards, we had a bit of everything. I had to come off. This yellow card was unfortunate. For me it wasn't a yellow card but you have to accept it. I think it was a foul on me,” Pogba told BT Sport.

“The foul just after [the yellow card], I saw all the players trying to get me out [of the game]. I think that's when the manager saw it as well that it's better that I come off before I get a red card and I can put my team in difficulties.”

Solskjaer explained that the risk of a second yellow and a suspension for the first leg of the semi-final, which will be against Roma, was playing on his mind made he opted to pull Pogba out.

Pogba accused Granada players of trying to get him sent off
Pogba accused Granada players of trying to get him sent off / Visionhaus/Getty Images

“You know Paul, he doesn’t just dip a toe into his tackles – he wants to win the ball. He’s a big lad, and sometimes it happens, he gets a yellow card,” the United boss explained, via ManUtd.com.

“I thought Paul played really well, and we lost a lot with him coming off, of course, but I couldn’t take the risk [of him picking up a suspension]. We’ve missed three [suspended players] and the season’s been hard enough as it is anyway.”

Luke Shaw, Scott McTominay and the aforementioned Maguire will be back for the semi-final first leg against Roma after serving their respective one-game suspensions. That game will take place at Old Trafford on Thursday 29 April, with the return at Stadio Olimpico a week later.

United have won four of their last five games against Roma, including a 2-0 win on their last trip to the Italian capital in April 2008 and the famous 7-1 thrashing in Manchester in April 2007.

A place in the final against either Arsenal or Villarreal is up for grabs.

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