Solskjaer slams Pogba agent as United exits CL

Paul Pogba scored Manchester United's last goal before the team was knocked out of the Champions League with a 3-2 defeat at RB Leipzig.

The French midfielder started on the bench for the first game since his agent, Mino Raiola, made comments suggesting he wanted to leave United, and could only watch as Leipzig raced into a two-goal lead after 13 minutes.

By the time Pogba came on with half an hour remaining, it was 3-0 and a step too far for a United team that had only needed a draw to be sure of progress to the last 16.

"As soon as Paul's agent realizes this is a team sport and we work together, the better," United coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said after the match, referring to the comments in Italian newspaper Tuttosport, where Raiola said it was "over" for Pogba at United.

"I'm not going to speak about Paul's agent anymore," Solskjaer said.

United's loss will result in missed earnings of around 15 to 20 million euros ($18-24 million) as it drops to the less-lucrative Europa League as the third-place finisher in Group H. United lost to Sevilla in the semifinals of that competition last season.

"We started too late. We showed great spirit to come back again, but you can't give a team a 3-0 lead and expect to come back," said Solskjaer.

Leipzig's win assured it of progression to the Champions League knockout stage with a three-point lead over United. Paris Saint-Germain, which is level on points with United, is also through to the last 16 due to its better head-to-head record against United.

PSG's game with Istanbul Basaksehir was suspended after about 15 minutes at 0-0 when players walked off the field after alleging that fourth official Sebastian Coltescu of Romania used a racial comment against Basaksehir assistant coach Pierre Webo. UEFA said the match would resume on Wednesday with new officials.

Leipzig, which was only formed in 2009, reached the Champions League semifinals last season.

"It's important to have a plan, and it's important the players understand the plan," Leipzig coach Julian Nagelsmann said.

AP