Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has explained his decision to substitute Edinson Cavani at half-time during United’s 9-0 thrashing of Southampton.
United moved level on points with Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table after a comprehensive victory against the Saints on Tuesday night.
Alex Jankewitz was shown a straight red for a rash challenge on McTominay and the floodgates opened thereafter, with Jan Bednarek, who scored an own goal just after the half-hour mark, also being sent off late in the second half after bringing down Martial in the box.
United made their numerical advantage count in ruthless fashion, which allowed Solskjaer to ring the changes at the interval.
A few eyebrows were raised when the Norwegian removed Cavani for Martial though, with the Uruguayan having headed home his sixth goal of the season in the 39th minute to cap a superb first-half display.
However, Solskjaer revealed post-match that the 33-year-old was withdrawn as a precaution after picking up a knock, which he is hopeful will not keep the striker out of action for any length of time.
“Edinson got a bad tackle on his ankle so he had to come off,” the Red Devils boss, whose side face Everton at home on Saturday, told BT Sport. “He probably would have loved to be out there scoring goals. But there was no point in taking any risks.
“Hopefully, it won’t swell up too much.”