Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has revealed that Frank Lampard remains a "key player" for the club.
The boss replaced the England international at half-time during Chelsea's 3-1 loss at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Villas-Boas' decision to omit the 33-year-old for the second half has led a number of pundits to question the midfielder's long-term future at Stamford Bridge, but the manager has poured scorn on those suggestions.
"It was just something that we had to do to adapt the team to an attacking style," Villas-Boas said at a press conference.
"Not that Frank doesn't give us an attacking style, because he does, and has done throughout his career.
"Frank will be a key player for us this season."
Lampard has scored one goal from five Premier League matches this season.
