Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists Paul Pogba was simply “unlucky” after being sent off in Manchester United’s defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.
The French side won 2-0 at Old Trafford, pushing United to the brink of a Champions League last 16 exit.
Their hopes were further hurt by Pogba’s red card after a second bookable offence for a challenge on Dani Alves, with Solskjaer claiming he was “unlucky” to be given his marching orders.
“He’s unlucky,” Solskjaer said. ”Paul Pogba is trying to get his body across and Dani Alves is clever enough to put his foot in there.
“I’m disappointed we’re not going to have Paul in the next game. That’s a big blow.”
Thomas Tuchel insisted United could have been down to 10 men sooner, with Ashley Young shoving Angel Di Maria off the Old Trafford turf and into a metal perimeter wall.
“I think he (Young) was lucky because it was not necessary,” said Tuchel. “He (Young) plays many, many times here, and he knows there is a hill, so there was no need to push Di Maria into the fans.
“I am happy there was no injury.
“I think the guy (Di Maria) is very competitive, like all South American guys. If you tease him it doesn’t make him weaker, of course.”
United also lost both Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard to injury, with Chelsea up next in the FA Cup before a huge Premier League clash with rivals Liverpool.
