David Luiz was left out of the squad entirely (Getty)

Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has denied he has had a falling out with David Luiz, insisting his decision to drop the defender for the game with Manchester United was ‘tactical’.

Prior to the game there were reports that the pair had been involved in a bust-up which led Conte to make the decision to leave him.

The team-sheet revealed that Luiz had indeed been omitted, with the Brazilian not even on the bench.

But speaking before the game, Conte said the decision was purely tactical.

‘It’s a tactical decision,’ he told Sky Sports.

Conte was understood to be furious with the 3-0 defeat to Roma in midweek (Getty)

Asked directly if they had fallen out, Conte said: ‘No, no. Tactical decision.

‘There is [Andreas] Christensen in really good form and also we have [Ethan] Ampadu who is a good young player. The club like to play with the young player.’

Ethan Ampadu is on the bench (Getty)

Christensen came in at the back for Chelsea with 17-year-old Ampadu on the bench.

Conte added: ‘I think we are conceding many goals then you find the way to find the most solidity to be more solid. We must defend in the right way.’

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