MANCHESTER UNITED produced two fantastic performances last week. And the imminent return to fitness of Paul Pogba could take Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team to another level. United played brilliantly to beat Manchester City and Tottenham. They were also excellent in both their league and Carabao Cup wins over Chelsea and picked up draws with decent […]
MANCHESTER UNITED produced two fantastic performances last week.
And the imminent return to fitness of Paul Pogba could take Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team to another level.
United played brilliantly to beat Manchester City and Tottenham.
They were also excellent in both their league and Carabao Cup wins over Chelsea and picked up draws with decent displays against Liverpool and Arsenal.
So United have done well against the traditional top six and they also beat Leicester.
Their problems have been facing the so-called lesser teams.
United have lost to Crystal Palace, West Ham, Newcastle, Bournemouth, while they drew with Southampton.
The reason they produce their best against the top teams is because they do not necessarily have dominate possession.
That creates space to run into for speedy attackers like Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Dan James.
But they now have to find a way of dealing with teams that are going to sit in against them – and Pogba could be the answer.
Solskjaer wants athleticism going forward and Juan Mata does not necessarily fall into that category.
Pogba, like Mata, is a player who can unlock opponents’ defences, but he also has the dynamism Solskjaer likes.
Fred, who was excellent against City, is starting to develop and seems to benefit from having Scott McTominay beside him.
It was hard to see what Fred’s midfield role was when he moved from Shakhtar Donetsk for £52million, but Solskjaer has simplified things for the Brazilian.
He now brings, energy, endeavour and a bit of physicality sat in front of the two centre-backs.
There is an opportunity for Solskjaer to play a 4-3-3 formation but I don’t think you start Pogba as a No.10 – the Frenchman is someone who can arrive in that position and express himself.
With McTominay and Fred protecting the defence, that gives Pogba licence to go forward and drift into that No.10 position.
Rashford is now playing with freedom, cutting in from the left flank. He is a far better player facing the opposition goal than having his back to it.
Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof are also building a real understanding as a centre-back partnership.
Solskjaer has faced criticism, but you are always going to as United manager.
Things appear to be moving in the right direction.
