Fabio Capello picks out Manchester United’s two key players against Atalanta

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Manchester United’s second half against Atalanta was amid the best 45 minutes of football Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side had played all season.

The first 45 was among the most frustrating, and there is some heavy competition in that category.

United eventually came through, winning 3-2, and the players can take the plaudits after a hard fought win.

Former England international boss Fabio Capello was working the game as a pundit in Italy and he picked out two Manchester United players he regarded as key to victory.

Capello was also complimentary about Atalanta and said they should feel upbeat despite the loss.

The ex-Three Lions boss told TMW: “United shot many times on goal, [with] the speed of Rashford and the skill of Cristiano Ronaldo they made a difference.

“Atalanta did what they had to do, it’s a defeat that [should] make them feel calm, they are a team with quality and attacking danger. Without the whole team, what they did was very good.”

Capello added that he felt Atalanta proved themselves as equals to United, despite their comparative lack of European experience.

Go again in two weeks

United visit Atalanta in the Champions League in two weeks for a potentially very tough fixture.

The match falls in between two Premier League games against Tottenham and Manchester City.

Atalanta do actually have a better away record than at home this season. In four Serie A games at home they have scored four goals.

By comparison they have netted nine goals away from home in four games.

Add in Champions League games and Atalanta have scored 13 goals away from home compared to five at home.

With United’s away record generally strong, apart from recent defeats to Young Boys and Leicester City, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side should be optimistic about getting a result in Italy.

Marcus Rashford and Cristiano Ronaldo will likely have to be at their best to cause Atalanta problems once again.

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