This match against City is a great example. Pogba and Bruno are very effective together, they feel each other well and also if opposition tries to man-mark one of them (Bruno right now) it opens up the other one. If Pogba was as dedicated and consistent as Bruno, we could have the most dangerous attacking midfield in EPL
Unpopular Opinion: Pogba and Bruno Are Great Pair
- Thread starter NewGlory
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Listen to the latest United Hour Podcast episode here. In it, Colm, David and Imran are in your ears to discuss United's hard fought 2-1 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage. They talk the highs of Pogba, joys of Cavani, the woes of Martial and the nerves of being in a title race. They also get into some midway season thoughts, preview the upcoming FA Cup game vs. Liverpool and find time for a quick stupid game.
I salute you for voicing out a real “unpopular opinion”, way more than many threads with the same kind of name.
Wait at least until half time ffs. 
But yes, they are top midfield duo
But yes, they are top midfield duo
LOL! Had to get some positivity in while we are still doing wellWait at least until half time ffs.
But yes, they are top midfield duo
50% + 175% = 225%
Only if you put Fred and Mctominay behind them.
That means you don't get to have 3 attackers.
Maybe it's a good thing.
That means you don't get to have 3 attackers.
Maybe it's a good thing.
They can pass it around with each other well but don't suit a team as a pair. Unless you get a peak Keane behind them or something. Pogba can't play the deeper role, Bruno is wasted deeper, and all the best systems have wingers or inside forwards around a central striker. So you're sacrificing width and one of the front 3 pacey attackers by starting them together, regardless of the players around them.
True. I think it can work well often with fluid attackers like Rashy+Greenwood, or Rashy+Cavani with attacking-minded AWB and Luke Shaw providing width. Very United style and super dangerous if everybody is their best
Pogs been decent
Sterling's hairstyle makes me want to puke
Given how crap Fernandes has been I'm not sure its the best evidence to suggest Pogba gets loads out of him.
Pogba's been alright himself, mind.
Pogba's been alright himself, mind.
Pogba is leaving so it doesn't matter in the end
They can play well together but neither of them is reliable defensively, so it means you need a 4 man midfield. That's not practical for most games. It's working against City because they love to stay in the centre and keep possession, but Pep will tell them to get wider in the second half.
Under the right manager. Ole plays 4231 which won't fit both.
Pogba has to start putting in semi decent performance, he's got to put himself in the shop window
He’s been pretty much normal. Very loose passing but lots of work rate. This is his usual pattern, it’s just nothing has come off yet.
It’s always been more about Pogba not being a deep midfielder than those two not being able to play together.
No slight on Pogba as he has played well, but Bruno makes a good pair with anyone technically gifted, see Mata also. So yeah, agree with OP.
Our best two players definitely. A pity we couldn't sign a DM in the summer to play with them.
Think if we could get both on the pitch at same time regularly, we'd be a much better team.
Think if we could get both on the pitch at same time regularly, we'd be a much better team.
Pogba is OK to good in this position on the left and with a license to go inside. Bruno is very good everywhere.
Not sure if I'd call them a "pair", seems like they are doing similar things but far away. How many passes they made to each other?
Not sure if I'd call them a "pair", seems like they are doing similar things but far away. How many passes they made to each other?
I don't disagree, I just think it's flimsy evidence to suggest it's a pair that bring the best out of each other.
Great pair. At least save this sort of knee jerkery for when we've actually won a game. Not one we're 0-0 in.
Yes.
How many times did Pogba give the ball away in our own half tonight? Must have been easily in double figures. If you barely get away with it against the worst team in the league you probably aren't going to against anyone else.
You can maybe play them both and get a benefit in games where the oppositon sit off. Everything good Pogba does is when he's going towards the opposition goal.
I don't think you can play them both in any game where a majroity of what Pogba will need to do, doesn't involve attacking the other team's goal...and you definitely can't play both of them in any game where you decide Matic is a suitable player to cover the ground of 2 people in order to mop up for both of them.
You can maybe play them both and get a benefit in games where the oppositon sit off. Everything good Pogba does is when he's going towards the opposition goal.
I don't think you can play them both in any game where a majroity of what Pogba will need to do, doesn't involve attacking the other team's goal...and you definitely can't play both of them in any game where you decide Matic is a suitable player to cover the ground of 2 people in order to mop up for both of them.
I think Ole needs to get them to play together but set the team up in a different way. I agree with Sherwood and Hargreaves that our attack is as potent as any. Our defence is not that bad as the worst but not the best but certainly among the best at least in the PL.
I think Ole should let lose the three striker and Pogba and Bruno and let the defence and one DM just defend only without doing too much attacking. Yes they need to push up when needed but no need for AWB and Telles to attack like a winger. That would keep the balance in defending and attacking and we would be more tight in defence too.
I think Ole should let lose the three striker and Pogba and Bruno and let the defence and one DM just defend only without doing too much attacking. Yes they need to push up when needed but no need for AWB and Telles to attack like a winger. That would keep the balance in defending and attacking and we would be more tight in defence too.
Depends how you look at it. Both are top level players but I don't see the synergy between them on the pitch personally.
Probably in these kind of games only. Any other more competent and pressing team, the flaws will return to appear in this formula.
Pogba makes playing for United look like a day job - he can’t wait for the siren to blow and go home.
Despite his offensive contributions I fully agree that people shouldn't ignore the fact that he was very poor at times in the holding mid role in danger areas in our half. Nothing new of course as he gives the ball away incredibly cheaply as a habit.... an absolute no no for a holding mid.
Until it's seen on a consistent basis its a one off opinion no different to those that say that Rashford is as comfortable on the right wing as he is the left. When we come up against a well drilled team the outlook will be the same with criticism for Pogba because he's unable to influence a game. I do however think their lack of plausibility to play cohesively since the new season is largely down to Ole tinkering with everything on a game by game basis. The whole team needs consistency.
I agree. They didn't play to much together though, by the end of the season it could be even better.
Absolutely.
If we had a prime Carrick it’d be an outstanding midfield.
It really highlights the lack of a proper DM. Matic can be fine against some sides, but his legs are gone. Fred is a 8, and McTominay doesn’t have the passing range.
Someone like Fabinho would make this team go up several levels.
It really highlights the lack of a proper DM. Matic can be fine against some sides, but his legs are gone. Fred is a 8, and McTominay doesn’t have the passing range.
Someone like Fabinho would make this team go up several levels.
I dont want to hear any pogba is great chat until he has played consistently well over a period of 10 games. We have seen him play well for so many one off games against poor opposition before only to be terrible the next game
Can imagine him getting targetted by leeds press if he starts against them
Can imagine him getting targetted by leeds press if he starts against them
The problem with playing all 4 is that some of Bruno's best skills overlap with Pogba's and Scott overlaps with Fred, resulting in having a crowded midfield of 4 which does the work of 3.
We won't win much playing all 4.
Did I miss something or did we beat City?
Yes they are a great pair - against Sheffield United.
Yes they are a great pair - against Sheffield United.
Pogba doesn't possess the ability to be a proper holding mid (not defensively disciplined). he is not a ball winning type of midfielder and he is not a bruno like creative midfielder. i wont make him in holding the midfield in big matches since he will be a liability defensively.
They need a top CDM behind them with pogba at 8 and bruno at 10, something we dont currently possess. If we can get hold of a top class CDM then we could potentially have a very good midfield three, however I dont think pogba will be with us next season.
Nah. Fernandes is good, and has tended to make those around him look good. Pogba is in decent form though.
Sheffield are horrible, the were points in the game last night when there was a huge hole in our midfield. You get past Matic and then there's nothing stopping you from getting to the defense.