Where to fit Pogba?

Craig Ward

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As a Pogba fan, I am also looking forward to seeing him back, but in my opinion his best position is not no. 10. His strengths are his (1) physical ability, allowing him to hold onto ball; (2) dribbling skills to bring the ball from back to front; (3) ridiculous passing range for quick transition. This skill set means he is more suitable for a deeper role responsible for organizing attack as well as antipressing, instead of a purely offensive duty.

On the other hand, he has certain weaknesses if he is played as a no. 10. His preference in dwelling onto ball sometimes delays attack and misses the best attacking opportunity. He is also not known for his pace, which may put him on a different wavelength against his teammates like James and Rashford. His inconsistency is another worry if we regard him as a no. 10.

Of course, Fred and McTominay's impressive performance in recent matches shouldn't be left unnoticed. It would be interesting to see how Ole arranges the gametime among them. In my opinion, we have already been lacking depth in midfield, it would be unwise to start all of them at the same time, especially with the upcoming congested fixtures.
I agree, i dont think his best positions is at #10

I do disagree with a lot of what your saying, and i will explain why i think this:
"His strengths are his (1) physical ability, allowing him to hold onto ball; (2) dribbling skills to bring the ball from back to front; (3) ridiculous passing range for quick transition"

1) While he is quote a physical player, the amount of times he loses the ball is unreal. He's often out muscled, tackled or just simply spacially unaware of his surroundings, an issue in the middle of the park
2) I dont doubt he can dribble, but he's never turned into the driving force of our midfield bringing play forward. Often holds onto the ball too long, loses said ball - as you pointed out for him above
3) Maguire/Lindelof can also smash the ball forward into space

Fact is, Pogba has been tried and ultimately been disappointing in a deep role as a midfield 2. We've changed formation to a midfield 3 so he can play on the left of said 3 and we havent really seen a marked improvement from him.

Unquestionably, he has good talent. Unfortunately, he's been a bit of a let down.

We cannot go back to "Play Pogba at all costs" mentality. It just will not work.

He's part of the squad and will need to
1)Prove fitness
2)Prove commitment - if he's angling for a move he can be sold asap

Right now, given how absolutely poor our #10's are, i'd play Pogba there. For me, he cannot be trusted or influence the game from deep. This is based on past events and logic.

He's more creative than Lingard/Periera/Mata/Gomes so may do some good things in spells there, and is further up the pitch so wont put us on the backfoot when he loses it near our own box.

Ultimately though, we need to sign a proper #10 and plan for life without him
 

Denis' cuff

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This theory doesn't suit anyone whatsoever though. Not the selling club, the buyer or the player. It's just typical Pogba hate guff.
Let’s just see then, eh?

In your world, he is going to come back into the team and suddenly show commitment? Hope he does but can’t say I’m confident he will. Are you deaf to the noises coming from his brother and his agent? That doesn’t happen without his approval. He doesn’t want to be here and isn’t committed.
 

GenZRed

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I don't even know why this is up for discussion. It is beyond obvious he wants to leave so transfer list fits him best.

Unless he chnage shis mind, which I high doubt. If he does he should play in an advanced midfield role.
 

2mufc0

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Straight swap with Lingard.
 

Dans

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Now ill and "set back a bit" in his recovery from injury..... Won't be playing for a while longer it seems. Makes me wonder whether he hasn't been sold already.
 

Sandikan

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Now ill and "set back a bit" in his recovery from injury..... Won't be playing for a while longer it seems. Makes me wonder whether he hasn't been sold already.
It's certainly giving a lot of fuel to the conspiracy theories.

When you see a guy with an injury bad enough to be out for months, hooning about abroad, pissing about playing basketball, then dancing without a care in the world at a wedding, you do wonder don't you.

The "Ill" thing will buy him a couple of weeks into Jan's window.
 

Rozay

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It's certainly giving a lot of fuel to the conspiracy theories.

When you see a guy with an injury bad enough to be out for months, hooning about abroad, pissing about playing basketball, then dancing without a care in the world at a wedding, you do wonder don't you.

The "Ill" thing will buy him a couple of weeks into Jan's window.
Do you know what Dalot’s been up to the last 3 months, and do you approve of it?
 

Forevergiggs1

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Do you know what Dalot’s been up to the last 3 months, and do you approve of it?
Dalot being fit won't change anything so I couldn't give a toss what he's doing. If and its a big if Pogba comes back motivated then he could be the difference between EL or CL finish which is why people are talking about Pogba and not Dalot.
 

Rozay

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Dalot being fit won't change anything so I couldn't give a toss what he's doing. If and its a big if Pogba comes back motivated then he could be the difference between EL or CL finish which is why people are talking about Pogba and not Dalot.
Pogba being a good footballer doesn’t mean he doesn’t have the same basic rights as a human as Dalot. Because you are frustrated that he’s injured he has been a disgrace or whatever? (Can’t even remember if that was the word you used in the first quote, apologies if not).
 

Bwuk

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The way we’ve been playing lately with how high the #10 presses I’m beginning to think it’s more likely he’s put back in the 2 with McTominay or Fred.
 

Johan07

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He needs players in front of him. As many as possible. And to be on the ball as much as possible.
Both of these objectives are fecked if you put him at #10.
#10 is a no go to get the best out of him.
If we play a double pivot he needs to be played with a strong DM. He should not play at #10 in that system.
Or switch to a 4-3-3 and play him as one of the #8s.
If he is going to stay we need to find a system that gives him the ball as often as possible with a lot of options in front of him. Not just one #9 and two wingers catching up.
Its not the player he is.
 

Forevergiggs1

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Pogba being a good footballer doesn’t mean he doesn’t have the same basic rights as a human as Dalot. Because you are frustrated that he’s injured he has been a disgrace or whatever? (Can’t even remember if that was the word you used in the first quote, apologies if not).
I've never called Pogba a disgrace, not even close to it and i've stated that I've never thought that Pogba was faking his injury. What I have done is question his loyalty with Raiola himself confirming he offered Pogba to City in the January 2018 window and with what transcribed over the summer of this year with Pogba, Raiola and Pogbas brothers comments on Pogba looking for another out so I don't think anyone can say that it's unjustified criticism.
 

UDontMessWith24

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Same position he played during the 9 games we were practically unplayable would be a solid place to start.
 

Danish Wizard

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He has made his mind up, and can't be arsed to play for United again. Sell him as soon as possible, and replace with a new midfielder or two. Bye bye to circus Pogba
 

soralapio

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I'd honestly start him as the number 10. McTominay and Fred are doing a decent job as the central midfielders, and while I'm sure McTominay and Pogba would do an even better job, United currently don't have any kind of even half-decent number 10. It would free up Pogba to be more creative, which would undoubtedly benefit United a great deal.
 

podurban2

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Switch Pereira for Pogba and a game like that where we need to push to score, it’s exactly what we desperately need.
 

Offsideagain

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If, and it’s a big if, he really wants to play for us for the next two seasons, he can play where he wants to play. On the other hand, it looks like his agent is looking for another move and cut of the fee. If that is the case, get as much as possible for him and buy Ed Woodward some razors to get rid of that face fur, oh and to buy some young talent.
 

OldTrevil

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Can't wait for him to get back. The only question is how Ole sets it all up. I would be aiming for the following.

DDG
AWB Axel Maguire/VL Shaw
Fred
McTominay Pogba
Mason Martial Marcus
That team would disect defensive teams for fun.
 

fergiesarmy1

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If, and it’s a big if, he really wants to play for us for the next two seasons, he can play where he wants to play. On the other hand, it looks like his agent is looking for another move and cut of the fee. If that is the case, get as much as possible for him and buy Ed Woodward some razors to get rid of that face fur, oh and to buy some young talent.
Since when did Manchester United operate to suit a ponce of a player, I want this virus out of the club and erased from its proud history. He is a disgrace.
 

Rocknrolla69er

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Prancing about on tv playing basketball, and attending party's then calling in sick, and people are asking where we fit him in hahahaha

How about a plane to Madrid on the 1st January

A better question would be can we get a decent player in to replace him
 

Swearing Budgie

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I will celebrate like I did when Jose got ejected. Both only care about themselves and any remaining pogbaistas can do one too
I assume because everyone knows he wants to leave the club will end up getting less than they paid for him...
 

Craig Ward

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150mil price tag and the players apparently are not expecting him to play for us again.

Roll on January so we can get rid of him

Ole's saying the right thing publicly, but surely he only wants committed players moving forward.
 

fergiesarmy1

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I assume because everyone knows he wants to leave the club will end up getting less than they paid for him...
I’d still like to think we can at least break even on the fee though he has stolen around £50 million in wages bonuses and “loyalty” payments.
 

Judas

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Since when did Manchester United operate to suit a ponce of a player, I want this virus out of the club and erased from its proud history. He is a disgrace.
:lol: I hope he never leaves, imagine showing that much anger over Paul Pogba.

The older generation really do hate him, don't they? So sensitive.
 

Ban

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I'm not into conspiracy theories but this story is fast becoming a strange one.
 

Tarrou

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now that Ole's said he's not leaving in Jan, will conspiracy theorists who said he's faking an injury pipe down now?
 

Rozay

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now that Ole's said he's not leaving in Jan, will conspiracy theorists who said he's faking an injury pipe down now?
Probably not. They had nothing factual to go on in the first place so why would anything change?
 

Rozay

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His return date keeps getting pushed, Ole didn't even say when he's expected back this time.
Shaw’s was pushed, Martial’s was pushed, Fosu-Mensah’s has been pushed as has Dalot’s. Just this season. Significantly pushed too.