Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes it was "too soon" to start Jadon Sancho in Manchester United's Premier League opener against Leeds.
Sancho arrived from Borussia Dortmund as United's first marquee signing of the summer.
The England international will significantly boost the Red Devils attack, and many supporters hoped they would see the winger start against Marcelo Bielsa's side at Old Trafford.
But Solskjaer has opted not to rush the 21-year-old into action as he starts on the bench alongside the likes of Anthony Martial.
The Norwegian boss has preferred an attacking trident of Mason Greenwood, Daniel James and Paul Pogba as he aims to get off to a flyer.
However he does expect Sancho to make an impact from the bench after a successful week in training.
“It is too soon to start, he has had a holiday after the Euros, been ill and training with us for four days which is not really enough for 90 minutes against Leeds," Solskjaer told BT Sport.
"He is ready to come on and make a difference."
Meanwhile, Solskjaer is hoping his forwards, like Sancho, can take the goalscoring burden away from Bruno Fernandes this season.
The Portuguese talisman provided the main source of goals at Old Trafford last season.
"To be able to spread the goals across more forwards is going to be important for us," he said in the build up to the Old Trafford opener.
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"An attacking midfielder should not be the only player reaching 15 or 20 goals for us, no.
"Anthony (Martial) will score more goals than he did last season, Mason (Greenwood) will develop, Edinson (Cavani) started late last season so will score more goals, Jadon will come in and chip in with goals so I feel confident that the burden is not just on Bruno to score.
"Of course, he (Fernandes) is fantastic - his return in terms of goals and assists has been unbelievable since he came into the club.
"Marcus (Rashford) will, of course, miss out on the first couple of months of the season, which is not great for him, but he will come back fresh.
"Last season was disappointing but I am very confident in what I see from Anthony. I like what I see from him in training, what I see in the gym. He has the bit between his teeth again."
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