PAUL SCHOLES believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can lead Manchester United to the the Premier League title – but fears the midfield engine room could cause problems. The Red Devils are just five points behind table-toppers Liverpool following Thursday’s 3-2 win at Sheffield United, although they have a game in hand. Solskjaer opted for a midfield […]
PAUL SCHOLES believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can lead Manchester United to the the Premier League title – but fears the midfield engine room could cause problems.
The Red Devils are just five points behind table-toppers Liverpool following Thursday’s 3-2 win at Sheffield United, although they have a game in hand.
Solskjaer opted for a midfield double-pivot of Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba at Bramall Lane, with the latter delivering a slick show.
But Old Trafford legend Scholes thinks United can only fire on all cylinders if the midfield battle is won.
Asked if United are in the title race, Scholes told Amazon Prime Video: “Yeah, you have to think so and at times tonight they were fantastic.
“Ole this year, I think he’s changed formation a lot of times, changed personnel a lot.
“We spoke before about those five games last season where they didn’t change the team, it was virtually this team tonight apart from the left-back and the goalkeeper, it was a 4-2-3-1, it really suited them.
“I was excited for this season, it’s not quite worked out as I would have expected, but now I think he’s finally found the right way of playing.
“That two in midfield is the only position I’d think about changing every now and again, that [Nemanja] Matic one. He’s got Fred, he’s got [Scott] McTominay, he can do that. I thought Paul Pogba was fantastic tonight in that position and it’s a formation that really suits the team.
“Fernandes in that No 10 role feeding Martial, Rashford and [Mason] Greenwood – how exciting is that?
“Three of the best, quickest finishers around Europe when they get chances.
“I think the biggest problem is getting possession of the ball with them two [midfielders], getting control of the game. Pogba and Matic need to control the game if Fernandes is going to be involved. Once them two get control of the game United are off and flying. And it helps the centre-halves as well.”
Solskjaer has generally opted against major personnel reshuffles despite some disappointing results and performances this term.
And Scholes believes United need to be lucky on the fitness front if a title challenge is to be sustained.
He said: “I think if they can keep nine or ten players fit for the next 26 games – which I know is a big ask – I think they’ll be there or thereabouts.
“We did see a slight drop-off in performance when two or three subs came on, so that tells me there are probably 12 or 13 players that are good enough, keeping them fit is going to be difficult.
“But I think tonight they’ve found a real way of playing, an exciting way of playing. Twenty-six games, they might be thereabouts.
“Some of the passing and movement was sensational. The front four players were brilliant. Bruno at times… you give him time on the ball, he’s going to destroy teams.”
United’s next date in the diary is Sunday’s home clash against Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds.
Edinson Cavani is set to be available for selection after missing three games due to a groin injury.
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