Ole Gunnar Solskjaer underlined the importance of not “pressing the panic button” as Manchester United look to bounce back from their chastening Champions League exit against bitter rivals Manchester City.

Europa League football awaits in the new year after the Red Devils stumbled in Germany, where Tuesday’s agonising 3-2 defeat at RB Leipzig sealed their fate as a stunning start to Group H counted for nothing.

It was a gut punch that the Solskjaer’s side need to pick themselves up from on Saturday evening as rivals Manchester City head across town to Old Trafford in the Premier League.

Asked again about the midfielder, the United boss said: “I speak to my players on a daily basis and Paul’s no different to anyone else.

“For me what was disappointing this week was us going out in the Champions League.

“Players want to go through in that and whatever anyone’s representatives say can’t really affect me. I’ve said what I wanted to say about that.”