Breaking news: Rangnick explains why he started Pogba, not Rashford in Utd's draw vs Leicester

 The Red Devils were without star

 forward Cristiano Ronaldo and 

called on the French midfielder 

to play up front

Ralf Rangnick has explained why 

he decided to play Paul Pogba in 

attack in Manchester United's draw 

against Leicester instead of Marcus

 Rashford.

The Red Devils boss had a tough 

call to make as Cristiano Ronaldo 

was ruled out of the clash because 

of illness, while Edinson Cavani is injured.

Rashford was the only recognised 

forward available for the 1-1 draw at 

Old Trafford, but he had to make 

do with a place on the bench as Pogba

 was given the nod.

Rashford came on to replace Scott

 McTominay for the last 35 minutes 

of the match, with Rangnick admitting 

he did not want to put him in the 

starting XI because of his lack 

of confidence.

"The only [attacker] we had was 

Marcus Rashford," he told Sky Sports.

"We knew this morning Cristiano 

could not play and decided to start 

Paul Pogba. After 60 minutes we made the

 change and had a central striker on the pitch.

"It is no secret that he was not full 

of confidence in the last couple of weeks

. In training he is looking well but it 

was a question between Paul and 

Marcus, we went with Paul."

Rangnick added to BBC Match of the 

Day: "It was a difficult time for him. I 

had to decide between two options

 and I think I decided for the one that

 gave us more stability in midfield,

 which was true until the goal."

Harry Maguire kept his place in the

 United defence in the wake of a difficult

 week for the centre-back.

The defender was jeered by England

 fans as he lined up for the national 

team in midweek and he has faced 

heavy criticism because of his performances

 for United.

But Rangnick was happy with his 

display against the Foxes and praised

 the club's fans for their treatment of him.

"I think he played well," he said. 

"I decided for him to play on the right 

side of defence after seeing him play 

for England there. For me, it was a 

solid performance from him."

He added: "The reaction of our 

supporters and they are the best in 

England. Harry Maguire had a flawless

 game defensively and offensively.

"He prefers to play on the left side 

but I decided he should play on the 

right after seeing him for England and

 as a right-footed player it makes it 

easy to play."