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Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has spoken in favour of increased matchday squads, saying players mental health could be affected when they are not included in the match day squad.

Solskjaer’s team will face Istanbul Basaksehir in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, November 24, and he can now make up to five substitutes, which cuts down the chances of players becoming fatigued.

He is also able to select a larger matchday squad than is allowed in the Premier League.

Even though the increased number of matchday squads allowed in Europe give managers more options in tactics, Solskjaer believes that the players benefit mentally from being involved compared to if they stayed at home.

“So I like the five subs, I also like the size of the squads because the players feel involved, especially during lockdown,” Solskjaer said.

“Sometimes if you’re told you’re not in the squad you’ve got to stay at home and you can’t go and see your friend or see the game with a friend.

“That’s another mental welfare that we have to look after with the players, so Champions League, I like it.”

United occupy top spot in Champions League Group H ahead of Tuesday’s game, but Solksjaer has admitted he wants to get red star midfielder Bruno Fernandes at some stage as the club will play 11 games in December.

“Bruno is not going to be able to play every single game, that’s for sure,” Solskjaer said.

“So when he only played one-and-a-half games with Portugal during the international break I was very happy.”

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