Fulham boss Claudio Ranieri defended benching Ryan Sessegnon for defeat to Manchester United.

Ranieri insists Sessegnon needed to rest.

"Ryan is a good player but in this moment is not at the best of his fitness and form. For this reason I played with Joe Bryan.

"He's working but it's the first time he played in the Premier League, it's not possible to play at the high level all the season. Just a little recovery for him.

"He's not in good, good form. For this reason I put him not from the beginning but in the match.

"I consider him one important player for us, for now and the future."