Arsene Wenger believes under-fire Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may have found a midfield solution in Fred, Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes just in time for Sunday’s crunch Liverpool showdown
- Manchester United fought back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 against Atalanta
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s United side are enduring a period of inconsistent form
- But Arsene Wenger was impressed with United’s midfield in the second half
Arsene Wenger believes Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may have stumbled across a solution to his midfield conundrum in the 3-2 comeback win over Atalanta.
Solskjaer started with a midfield base of Scott McTominay and Fred and benched Paul Pogba but United endured a disastrous first half and fell 2-0 down to the Serie A side.
Pogba entered the fray for McTominay in the 66th minute with United trailing 2-1 and Wenger was impressed by what he saw in the midfield trio of Fred, Bruno Fernandes and the France international.
Arsene Wenger was impressed by Manchester United’s second half midfield against Atalanta
Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes helped United fight back to defeat the Italian side 3-2
Speaking as a pundit on beIN SPORTS, former Arsenal boss Wenger said: ‘Pogba, I thought, did well. Pogba gave them more power out from deep in midfield by creating more dangerous balls.
‘And when Pogba came on Fernandes became better. Fernandes had a poor first half, but in the second half he came alive as well.’
And regarding Fred’s contribution, Wenger added: ‘I would personally highlight the second half for Fred.
‘Fred saved a few crosses in the box, defensively outstanding and he worked unbelievably hard in the second half.’
Fred also produced an encouraging second half display to help United record a victory
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrates taking the three points after the final whistle
Wenger’s comments come as United boss Solskjaer is facing growing scrutiny over his position as manager.
Wednesday’s victory was yet another dramatic comeback with Ronaldo getting United out of jail, but Solskjaer’s side are winless in three Premier League matches.
They host second-place Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday, knowing a defeat would leave them seven points behind Jurgen Klopp’s side after only nine league games.
