Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has reportedly lined up Paul Pogba to play as his No. 10 in a bid to fit the French World Cup winner in Man Utd’s midfielder alongside Bruno Fernandes.
Pogba is back to full fitness from a persistent ankle injury and Solskjaer is hoping he can strike up a formidable partnership with Fernandes when the season returns later this month.
United are relying on their two star players to help fire them to a Champions League spot with Solskjaer’s men currently sat fifth, three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
Solskjaer has been working on a system where he can play Pogba and Fernandes together and has settled on deploying the former in a new attacking midfield role, according to The Sun.
Pogba has already been prepped to play in that role, having featured in behind the central striker during last Saturday’s intra-squad friendly game at Old Trafford.
The report claims that the 27-year-old, who has not played a competitive game since Boxing Day, is not yet up to match speed but impressed Solskjaer in that position.
Pogba has been used as a No. 10 on several occasions during his United career with many of the opinion he is a better player when given more freedom – but has never consistently operated in that role.
He and Fernandes – a £68million January arrival from Sporting Lisbon who was supposedly signed to replace Pogba – will be the central figures in United’s new-look midfield.
Portuguese star Fernandes is an attack-minded midfielder with goalscoring and creative attributes, but Solskjaer has decided to play him behind Pogba as part of a midfield three in a No. 8 playmaker role.
Fernandes has been an instant success at Old Trafford, scoring three goals and registering four assists in the nine games he played before the season was suspended.
Solskjaer admitted last month he was excited about the prospect pairing Fernandes and Pogba, saying: ‘We have an exciting squad. Bruno coming in and making the impact he made was great for everyone, it was a boost for the club.
‘Good players can always play together, so yes Paul and Bruno can certainly.
‘We will find a good connection between them, we have discussed it as a coaching team.’
Pogba had looked destined to leave this summer after he expressed desires for a new challenge as Real Madrid and Juventus lurked, but Fernandes’ signing is said to have given the Frenchman a new lease of life.
Solskjaer will have the opportunity to test out his new-look midfield for real when they play Tottenham in the first Premier League back next Friday.
SOURCE:- allfootballapp
Share your thoughts