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Talking Tactics: Ole must work quickly to solve United's midfield conundrum
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Luke Bissett
LiveScore
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is struggling to find Paul Pogba’s best position in his line-up
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is struggling to find Paul Pogba’s best position in his line-up

Manchester United spent more than £125million in the summer — but failed to sign a player in the one position they desperately needed.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were crying out for an addition in central midfield yet one failed to arrive. 

Issues in the centre of the park have been United’s downfall in a season in which they have failed to live up to expectations so far. 

As the Red Devils prepare to host Atalanta in the Champions League tonight, we explore how Solskjaer can solve his midfield conundrum.

Pogba in a two

Perhaps the biggest enigma in the United squad, Paul Pogba often poses more questions than he does answers.

Solskjaer clearly does not trust the Frenchman to operate in a midfield pivot and has often used him out on the left flank rather than in the middle.

The Red Devils’ collapse at Leicester last Saturday will only have reaffirmed the Norwegian manager’s beliefs, with his central pairing of Pogba and Nemanja Matic completely overrun.

Remarkably, 28-year-old Pogba did not make a single tackle in that game and no player lost more challenges (three) than the visitors' No6.

Paul Pogba's pass maps indicate how he is having less impact in recent weeks
Paul Pogba's pass maps indicate how he is having less impact in recent weeks

McFred

The midfield combination that appears to be favoured by Solskjaer is Scott McTominay alongside Fred.

That pairing offers the Red Devils more defensive stability but significantly hampers the side’s creative endeavours.

McTominay, 24, has only completed 0.25 through balls per 90 minutes in the league this term while Fred has completed just 10.71 passes into the final third per 90 — with both lowly figures suggesting the duo’s attacking contributions are extremely limited.

But if Solskjaer insists on operating with two in midfield, he has very little choice but to play the McFred pivot in order to prevent Saturday’s 4-2 humiliation at Leicester from happening again.

Fred is an effective screen for Manchester United's defence but offers little in attack
Fred is an effective screen for Manchester United's defence but offers little in attack

Donny’s disappearance

Donny van de Beek’s impact at Old Trafford has been staggeringly limited since the Netherlands international made a £35m move from Ajax in September 2020.

The midfielder, 24, has started just four times in the Premier League since his arrival and has only made one appearance this season — a six-minute cameo off the bench in the 4-1 victory over Newcastle.

With Solskjaer already setting up with seven different midfield combinations this term, you have to wonder why the Norwegian vetoed Van de Beek’s deadline day move to Everton.

The Dutchman reached the Champions League semi-finals with Ajax in 2018-19 and was in scintillating form before heading to Manchester. But he has never had an opportunity to replicate those performances at Old Trafford. 

Van de Beek would certainly add to United's attacking threat, having made 70 goal contributions across 133 appearances during his final three seasons at Ajax.

Three at the back

Luke Shaw's ability to get up and down the pitch means he is suited to playing as a wing-back
Luke Shaw's ability to get up and down the pitch means he is suited to playing as a wing-back

An alternative for Solskjaer would be to switch from his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation and instead play three at the back.

That change to using three centre-backs would give the Red Devils extra defensive cover and protection, especially in central areas.

United possess players capable of operating in that formation, with the likes of Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw playing in a similar set-up for England.

The extra cover in the middle of the pitch would also place less responsibility on the shoulders of Pogba — releasing the defensive burden on the Parisian and allowing him to dictate play further up the pitch.

Midfield trio

Another possibility for Solskjaer would be to deploy a three-man midfield with Pogba and Bruno Fernandes operating as an attack-minded pairing ahead of a defensive midfielder.

It is a system that has previously got the best out of Pogba, as highlighted during France's run to World Cup glory in 2018. 

This formation would require the defensive midfielder to have plenty of discipline in order to carry out the destructive parts of the game.

Fred would be more than able to support Pogba and Fernandes in that role, as the Brazilian has won 5.18 possessions in the middle third per 90 this season — inside the Premier League’s top 10 players.

That switch would release Pogba’s shackles while still leaving United with enough bodies in midfield to stifle opposition attacks.

It could well be the solution to their long-running issues in the centre of the park.

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Manchester UnitedAtalantaChampions League
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