I don’t rate rice all that much but if we had purchased Rice as an example along with an improved CB to partner Maguire (a quick player allowing us to push higher up somewhat) and we still had the same issues I would then agree it better to move Pogba on.
The problem is we should have done that when we signed him and not sign Matic who was past it, granted we could have expected more from Matic but he’s gone. So we’ve not seen Paul partnered with a proper (actual) DM of decent quality other than that one period where Matic was decent which coincided with Pogba also playing well which supports my view imo.
Now the narrative is that ‘we have tried everything and he just doesn’t fit in.’ When in fact we haven’t tried everything other than signing a DM who was past it.
You must have seen Pogba before we bought him back, would you have partnered that player with the likes of McFred and expected anything other than what we’ve seen? I personally would have expected worse partnering him with those players in this of all leagues.
Not when we’ve known (or some did) what you need to get the best from him. He’s not Kante, hes not Rice, he’s a unique talent that offers you much more going forwards from deep, one that you have to partner with strong defensive players.
It’s just a feckin waste when we need a top DM regardless. Scott and Fred aren’t the answer next season, that’s what we’ve got to look forward to and it will stifle the benefit of new signings like Sancho becuase our engine room is basic, only word I can use.
Fair enough, but you have to consider that in reality we have done rather good in terms of transfers in the last few years. Personally I wouldn't blame the manager for not finding a partner for Pogba. For sure midfield is our weakest area, but if I had to make a choice:
A) extend Pogba contract
B) sell Pogba, buy a DM
I would not hesitate to choose B. I feel both options (keep Pogba and sign a DM) are very unlikely, and still I would rather sell Pogba and get a CB.
In the end where we differ is I don't think Pogba can be a part of consistently performing midfield. I see him as the final piece for an already dominant team rather than a player that will make us dominant. At least not in the system we play.
Anyway, I still maintain if we pair Pogba with anybody who is not absolutely top class DM (I struggle to name one that's available so you can help me out here), next year we will still be complaining about the wrong conditions for Pogba to shine.
I don’t know where this myth came from that you can’t play with only one defensive mid. It’s just about the norm with bigger clubs. Even Mourinho started quite a few games with Lo Celso and Ndombele. Rudimentary modern football tbh.
But the problem is when you have a midfield of DM and two AMs which are poor off the ball, plus forwards who don't really help out. We've even had a thread how little defensive work our attackers do. It basically means you need to have both midfielders first of all competent defensively and of the ball in general (buildup play).
Basically we need to consider we are very top heavy team. I struggle to name another club that plays like we do. I think many people don't realize how difficult it is to play in midfield two for a team like ours.
You could make a point we could play Pogba&Bruno +1 DM against the low table teams. What would probably be true, but we're actually having very good record with Fred and McTominay midfield against those teams anyway.