Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revealed he wanted to challenge Paul Pogba to play more than 45 minutes, explaining why he started for Manchester United against Sheffield United.
United's team to face the Blades at Old Trafford included both Pogba and Bruno Fernandes - the first time the pair have started together since the Portuguese arrived in January.
Pogba has battled persistent ankle issues for much of the season, for which he needed surgery in the spring, and his last United start came on September 30th.
But Solskjaer told Sky Sports before the Sheffield United game that he had no qualms throwing Pogba in from the start, especially after the Frenchman made a telling impact against Tottenham last Friday night. Both players starred as United beat the Blades 3-0 thanks to an Anthony Martial hat-trick.
"It was always the plan to get him to play more and more and to give him more than 45 minutes you've got to start him," said Solskjaer.
"So let's see how long he is going to last today."
On the partnership between Pogba and Fernandes, the Norwegian added: "Good players playing together is always nice to see. I know we're going to play against a very tough opponent that's going to make it difficult for them and going to make Paul and Bruno run the other way as well, so let's see how they deal with that."
Solskjaer also reiterated his defence of goalkeeper David de Gea, who kept a clean sheet after making an error in the 1-1 Spurs draw.
Former United captain Roy Keane was among those critical of De Gea.
Solskjaer said: "There's always scrutiny. Every time you play for Man United you are being watched by millions of people and every mistake will be magnified and when you do skills it will be magnified the other way.
"It's important to keep an even keel, when you play for this club or coach this club it's vital that you are quite stable mentally and David is quite strong mentally."
