Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal said the decision to drop striker Radamel Falcao from the squad for the defeat by Southampton was tactical.
Falcao, who had started the previous five matches, watched the 1-0 Premier League loss from the stands.
The £265,000-a-week Colombia international joined United on loan from Monaco in the summer, just a year after his £50m move to the French side.
“You have to look at the needs of your selection at the time,” said Van Gaal.
He added that Falcao, who has played for Atletico Madrid and Porto, was left out so cover could be provided for other players.
However, 19-year-old striker James Wilson was included on the United bench.
“As a coach, you have to take decisions and you have to look at the composition of your team and your selection and you have to look at your game plan,” said Van Gaal.
United paid £6m to sign Falcao on loan and have an option to buy the player for £43.5m at the end of the season.
One of the most coveted players of the last transfer window, he has been hampered by injury and scored only three goals since signing in September.
The home defeat to Southampton means Van Gaal has now collected the same number of points after 21 Premier League matches as predecessor David Moyes did during his time in charge.
Asked about that statistic, Van Gaal responded: “You have been waiting for the moment to tell me I have the same points as David Moyes.”
United failed to register a shot on target as their 10-game unbeaten run in the Premier League came to an end.
Dusan Tadic scored the winner in the 69th minute goal after Graziano Pelle’s effort rebounded off the post.
“We played a much better game than Southampton,” said Dutchman Van Gaal. “They were lucky to score out of nothing. “They came for a draw, I believe, and they go away with a victory. That is disappointing.
“It is a bad result. We have to be better. We were the dominating team but you have to create more chances when you are the dominating team. We didn’t choose the right solutions in the third and fourth phase.”
Juan Mata missed two chances for United as they slipped to a first home defeat since the opening day of the season – a result that saw Southampton move third in the table, above United.
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