Chris Wilder explains Phil Jagielka substitution decision in Sheffield United's defeat to Manchester United

Chris Wilder has explained his thinking behind bringing Phil Jagielka on for the injured Sander Berge in Sheffield United’s defeat to Manchester United last night.
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United were forced into a reshuffle after Berge pulled up early in the game with a hamstring injury, which could deal a huge blow to their survival hopes if he is missing for a sustained period of time.

Wilder replaced the Norwegian with veteran defender Jagielka, with Chris Basham shifting into midfield, and the change almost paid off when Basham turned

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Nemanja Matić superbly in midfield and fed Oliver Burke, whose intelligent pass was turned the wrong side of the post by John Fleck.

But Jagielka was given a difficult evening by the visitors’ lightning-fast front three of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood, and was later taken off himself as Wilder introduced Lys Mousset to try and get his side back in the game.

And Wilder explained the change in his post-match press conference.

"We didn’t make a tackle in midfield last weekend,” the United manager said of defeat at Southampton.

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"So we had a decision to make. We have to make those decisions but I made the wrong one.

SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 17: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United is challenged by Phil Jagielka of Sheffield United during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Manchester United at Bramall Lane   (Photo by Rui Vieira - Pool/Getty Images)SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 17: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United is challenged by Phil Jagielka of Sheffield United during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Manchester United at Bramall Lane   (Photo by Rui Vieira - Pool/Getty Images)
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 17: Marcus Rashford of Manchester United is challenged by Phil Jagielka of Sheffield United during the Premier League match between Sheffield United and Manchester United at Bramall Lane (Photo by Rui Vieira - Pool/Getty Images)

“I wanted us to be aggressive int he middle of the park, it meant we had to shuffle a couple of things about and we thought it was the best option to go with Phil and his experience. He knows how to play the position. But the two goals are disappointing from our point of view.”

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