Pogba should be the goalscorer and main creator and the one playing as the CAM, when we play 4-2-3-1.
The two midfielders that should be playing behind him are not at the club.
Pereira: Set piece and technical ability on point, but struggles under pressure and off the ball. Good enough to be a backup.
Mctominay: Zero-sum player. Good backup.
Matic: Legs are gone, and given that he never was a high-intensity player then he really has become slow. Could be useful as a backup and his experience and assumed professionalism is needed in the squad.
Fred: Inconsistency and partaking in the build-up is not a good combo. This is not an "adaption" issue and given that he is not inexperienced, one can't blame age or lack of games...
Gomes: Great technique and will contribute if we are dominant in possession. When not in possession he would create similar problems as we have when playing Mata. If we are able to press as a team and Gomes can find the right spacing between players (Cutting passing lanes rather than trying to cover space) then he would be our best option as a passer and "controller" beside Pogba.
In general, we lack two starting midfielders behind Pogba. And given that Brandt, Ndombele, Barella, Sensi and Rabiot already got new clubs this summer, then the number of prominent or suitable options that are available have decreased.
If I were DoF or someone with authority over transfers at the club I would go for players that can pass, press and with some intensity. I would stay well clear of players that are pure destroyers or only contributing when the team is on the ball. One of the CMs should be able to control the game and play as a speilfuhrer similar to how Carrick operated. The other should be a B2B with no real weaknesses.
Carrick 2.0: Florian Grillitsch from Hoffenheim. Uncanny resemblance to Carrick.
B2B: Barella, Rabiot and Ndombele would all have been able to perform well in this role and could also operate in different roles and positions depending on the game and opposition. Unfortunately, they already have new clubs. Ibrahim Sangare from Toulouse could be an option, even though he is seen as a CDM. He got the physicality and the ability to operate between the two boxes, but not good enough in the final third to be considered an improvement, yet. Would be able to play similarly to Ndidi, but would offer more when on the ball.
