Ryan Giggs has revealed Gareth Bale's withdrawal in Wales' 1-0 Nations League win over Finland was pre-planned.
The Real Madrid star was substituted at the break in Helsinki, with Harry Wilson coming on in place of the 31-year-old for the second half.
Giggs revealed in a post-match interview that Bale was never expected to play the full match on Thursday evening following his lack of action at club level.
"It was planned before," explained Giggs.
"He's had no football at all. It was a real juggling act picking the team.
"Gareth has had the least amount of football out of everyone so it was always the plan to give him 45 minutes, or if he felt good, an hour.
"I thought it was best, with Sunday in mind, to bring him off after 45 minutes and then give Harry, who hasn't played much football, some minutes as well."
Kieffer Moore's third international goal ensured Wales started their Nations League campaign with a hard-fought victory.
The Cardiff City striker struck 10 minutes from time after being picked out by Manchester United winger Daniel James.
And while the visitors weren't at their free-flowing best, Giggs admits he was pleased with his side's determination in the Finnish capital.
"I thought it was a really gritty performance – not our usual flowing football that we are capable of – but credit to Finland who made it difficult for us," he added.
"I think it is the kind of game where we can learn from but also take a lot of pluses because we dug out the result in the end.
"With a clean sheet, you have always got chances because of the players we have got and those players produced again, DJ and Kieffer."
Wales take on Bulgaria in their second group match at Cardiff City Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
