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Arsene Wenger has praised the impact Paul Pogba made off the bench in Manchester United’s Champions League victory over Atalanta and believes Bruno Fernandes’ performance dramatically improved with the Frenchman on the pitch.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s players were met with a chorus of boos at half-time after Mario Pasalic and Merih Demiral struck to give visitors Atalanta a two-goal lead at Old Trafford.
But second-half goals from Marcus Rashford and Harry Maguire got the Red Devils back on level terms and Cristiano Ronaldo’s 81st-minute header sent the Theatre of Dreams into raptures.
The result saw United go two points clear of Atalanta at the top of Group F, with Solskjaer desperate for all three points after a miserable run of four defeats in the club’s previous seven games.
Eyebrows were raised as Solskjaer dropped Pogba from his starting XI and instead opted for a midfield two of Scott McTominay and Fred against United’s Italian opposition.
Explaining his decision ahead of kick-off, the United manager said he was looking for greater ‘balance’ and ‘stability’ in the wake of the side’s 4-2 defeat to Leicester.
However, Pogba provided some much-needed drive and energy as he was introduced with Edinson Cavani in the 66th minute and Wenger was impressed with his fellow countryman’s contribution.
‘Pogba, I thought, did well. Pogba gave them more power out from deep in midfield by creating more dangerous balls,’ the ex-Arsenal manager said on beIN SPORTS.
‘And when Pogba came on Fernandes became better.
‘Fernandes had a poor first half, but in the second half he came alive as well.’
Wenger feels it’s ‘very important’ United use the win as a catalyst to build from ahead of…
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Source : metro
