Paul Pogba produced a masterful performance for Manchester United at the weekend in a 5-1 win over Leeds.
Pogba provided four assists in the win, surpassing his tally of three in the Premier League all of last season.
The performance showed what Pogba is capable of, and also highlighted what we saw last season, that the Frenchman is more dangerous in an attacking role.
Going back to his cameo in the 2-1 win at PSG in which he set up the winning goal, Pogba performed best last season when lining up as part of the front four.
It was in this role where he netted the winner against AC Milan, and thrived against Roma at Old Trafford, also getting on the scoresheet.
With his defensive responsibilities reduced, Pogba is able to join the attack more freely, to link up with Bruno Fernandes and take pressure off the Portuguese star.
The opposite happened in the Europa League final, in which Pogba played as part of a deeper two-man midfield and Fernandes was too isolated linking the attack.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told the club website after United’s win over Leeds: “We gave him the freedom of roaming wherever you want to go and get on the ball. Paul’s got that quality and, when you’ve got runners willing to make runs and create space for others, it opens up.”
So what happens when Marcus Rashford returns?
Pogba is not Manchester United’s only option to start out on the left. There are several alternatives.
Right now Dan James can also play there (he started out on the right on Saturday), along with Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga. Amad, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood could also start there if required.
But where it really gets difficult for United is when Marcus Rashford returns from his shoulder operation, expected to be in mid-October.
Rashford will return fully healthy and fresh. It is important to remember how good he was at the start of last season prior to his injury, with his impressive solo goal against Brighton and hat-trick against RB Leipzig.
Last season United balanced the two by shunting Rashford out to the right and Pogba to the left. But the right wing will no longer be a spare role, with Sancho expected to be a regular, with Mason Greenwood mixed in there when Edinson Cavani starts up front.
Rotation, injuries, and a hectic fixture list mean Rashford and Pogba will both get their fair share of game time, but in a decisive knockout match, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will likely have to choose between the two.
The alternative
The alternative of course is for United to try and recreate the free creative elements of Pogba’s attacking role in a central midfield position.
That means sacrificing one of Fred and Scott McTominay from the midfield trio which played at the weekend, and the pair play in tandem together so well.
It has been speculated all summer that this was Solskjaer’s plan, to shift to a 4-3-3 with a more attacking mindset, to allow both Pogba and Bruno Fernandes to flourish, as reported by The Telegraph.
Rashford’s injury absence has conveniently delayed this experiment, with Pogba able to play out on the left for now.
For the Pogba and Fernandes midfield to really work, it goes back to the problem United fans have been calling to address all summer, whether an elite defensive midfielder can be signed. Is there a player who can single-handedly do the work of Fred and McTominay?
With two weeks remaining until the transfer deadline, time is running out for United to locate and sign this mystery midfielder, and there is no apparent sign of urgency.
United may be waiting to see how the Pogba contract situation plays out before committing funds to a new defensive midfielder next summer. If he does renew his deal, then the dilemma over finding his best position becomes a long-term one to solve, rather than a situation to manage for just one more season.
- Kieran Maguire identifies who the Glazers could sell Man United shares to
- Pio Esposito’s agent gives clear response to Manchester United transfer links
- Stephen Torpey delivers glowing verdict on Tyler Fletcher’s mindset at Man Utd
- David Ornstein makes big Man United transfer prediction that will excite fans
- Jason Wilcox has identified another brilliant transfer steal for Man Utd, quality proven vs France
- Jorge Mendes working on deal as Jose Mourinho prioritises Man Utd-linked Mateus Fernandes
- What Carlos Baleba has now been doing behind the scenes to push a Man Utd move
- Why Man Utd target Mateus Fernandes is ‘very open’ to signing for only one of two clubs ahead of Arsenal
- Man Utd have now seemingly given up on signing £112m player this summer
- Three reasons why Man Utd should avoid Cristian Romero transfer
- Bruno Fernandes claims Serie A legend ‘taught’ him how to perfectly ‘hit the ball’ better than any other player
- Ex-Man Utd star Fred hits out at transfer reports with sharp message, “Are you really…”
- Lisandro Martinez thinks new Man Utd transfer target has ‘absolutely everything’
- Man Utd icon Wayne Rooney says there must be ‘reasons’ why Michael Carrick’s in-form man is not World Cup bound
- Fabrizio Romano shares new Mateus Fernandes price tag for Man Utd after club meeting
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
