The Norwegian coach saw his side pay the price after failing to replace the Brazilian midfielder who had previously escaped full punishment for a violent conduct.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted to making a mistake by not substituting Fred after he received a pat on the wrist for violent conduct in Wednesday loss to Paris Saint-Germain. The 27-year-old was only shown a yellow card for a headbutt on Leandro Parades in the first half but eventually sent off in the second half following a challenge on Ander Herrera.

United's night could have gone from bad to worse earlier in what was their penultimate Group H clash but saw good fortune smiling their way in a rather extraordinary fashion. Having conceded Neymar Jr's opening goal in the sixth minute, the Red Devils could have been reduced to 10 men inside the first 25 minutes. However, they were let off after the referee, following a brief consultation with the Video Assistant Referee, decided that Fred's headbutt on Leandro Paredes did not merit a red card. 

Instead, the former Shakhtar Donetsk star was cautioned with a yellow card and continued to marshall affairs in midfield for United before he was eventually sent off in the 70th minute for a challenge on Ander Herrera. The decision not to replace the midfielder by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his coaching staff has since come under massive scrutiny with his side's qualification to the knockout stage now hanging in the balance as a result of the defeat.

In his post-game remarks, the Norwegian coach lauded his player's for the day's performance and admitted making an error by not replacing Fred amid the warning signs. He, however, defended his stance by insisting that the midfielder's performance prevented him from considering the idea of substituting him. 

Watch the interview below: