Will United finally play best midfield trio against Arsenal?
It’s time to move on from the Rochdale near-debacle and look ahead to United’s upcoming game with Arsenal.
One of the positives from Wednesday’s game was that Paul Pogba got 90 minutes under his belt and will be ready for the Gunners game.
He played alongside Fred, who has been impressive since coming back into the side. The Brazilian found it tougher against Rochdale last night, bizarrely, but he kept going and nearly won it with a late long range effort.
Both Fred and Pogba should be in United’s midfield against Arsenal on Monday night, along with Scott McTominay.
RONALDO NEEDS TO STOP WHINING.
How do United fit them all in?
The way to do this is to select Paul Pogba in an advanced role. Many are convinced this is his best position.
It gets him closer to the goal and helps United’s attack, which is inexperienced and light on options.
This season Pogba has been playing a deeper midfield role, but with Fred coming into the team, this is not necessary. He can roam forward, with Scott McTominay more the capable of doing the defensive work along with the Brazilian.
With Fred not included in United’s early season squads, this is the first time this season he has been available at the same time as McTominay and Pogba.
Arsenal’s defence is suspect and United have to take the attack to them. Pogba can help expose their biggest weakness, as he has done before.
Who drops out?
This would mean Jesse Lingard would most probably drop out of United’s starting line-up, to accommodate Pogba in an attacking position.
Another option is to play Lingard wide right and sacrifice Pereira, who is really struggling in the right wing position at present.
If Anthony Martial returns into the attack, then both Pereira and Lingard could drop out, as it would mean Mason Greenwood would be back out on the right.
Whether United turn to the trio of Fred, Pogba and McTominay against Arsenal or not, this is a combination Solskjaer needs to go with at some point, as early as possible.
These three are United’s three best midfielders, and fitting them into the same team should be a priority, especially when there is a clear upside of getting Pogba into an advanced role.
- Portugal international waiting on offer from Manchester United as Barcelona make move
- Manchester United eye cut-price move for £32m Champions League winner to partner De Jong
- 17-goal wonderkid, La Masia graduate: 3 FA Youth Cup winners Man Utd should loan out this summer
- Erik ten Hag's first five signings as Ajax manager including two former Premier League stars
- Five players Manchester United had very lucky escapes on including '£50m-valued midfielder'