Where should Pogba and Rashford play?

[Hammondo]

Depends on how good the DM we buy is, and how well he settles in, I guess. There are players out there who are good enough to let their sides play a trio like that, but I'll grant you they're few and far between. It helps that both Bruno and Pogba know how to put themselves about: it isn't as if we'd be asking the guy to play behind Mesut Ozil and Juan Mata.

EDIT: And it helps that we have that very rare commodity in modern elite football, two defensively reliable fullbacks.

Did you watch the Roma game? Pogba might as well not have been there. They played past him like he's not there.

 

[Chesterlestreet]

Yes Rashford is too good not to be in the team when fit.

I sort of agree - but then again I would not drop either Pogba or Cavani for Rashford in a scenario where all are fit and on form.

And I would not play Pogba deep per default (with Rashford wide left) - no way.

So - for me, a fit and on form Rashford plays on the right. And if he can't cut it there, well then he ain't in the starting XI (but still remains a very good option from the bench).

 

[Chesterlestreet]

They played past him like he's not there.

He's feckin' shite defensively.

Sorry - but he is.

The only way Pogba functions as a CM - at all - is in a setup where he has minimal defensive duties.

He's an attacking midfielder - that's what he is. And an absolutely brilliant one at that potentially.

ETA He knows this himself - he knows what sort of role he's most comfortable in. See his recent comments.

 

[sherrinford]

He's feckin' shite defensively.

Sorry - but he is.

The only way Pogba functions as a CM - at all - is in a setup where he has minimal defensive duties.

He's an attacking midfielder - that's what he is. And an absolutely brilliant one at that potentially.

ETA He knows this himself - he knows what sort of role he's most comfortable in. See his recent comments.

Plenty of players have operated in centre midfield who were absolutely not there for what they brought to their teams defensively.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Pogba played very well alongside Matic post lockdown last season - with Matic dropping in and making a three effectively when we had the ball. I think there’s a reason why Pogba generally is paired with Matic - Fred is very high risk when pressing which exposes us more alongside Pogba - so I think the issue is Matic has declined. Rice could fill that role - and it would give us a lot of options as it potentially opens up a 4-3-3. I genuinely think with Cavani staying this is one of the most obvious summers we’ve had transfer wise - Sancho, Rice and Torres with Pogba also staying gives us incredible depth - it’s easily one of the best squads in Europe. All those players are available so go get it done.

You make a really good point with Matic and Pogba. Ole always used to play Matic and Pogba against the teams with a low block.

Unfortunately, Matic has lost his legs so it leaves us quite vulnerable in the middle.

As you quite rightly said, Rice could possibly fill that role for us.

I'd be buzzing if we for Rice and Sancho in. Who's Torres, by the way?

 

[King Azaz the Unabridged]

Right now, Pogba plays on the left and Rashford sits on the bench / fills in up front until he's fit and in form.

Long term, Pogba plays in the center with a new partner. 1) It's not out of sheer stupidity or stubbornness that Mourinho and Solskjaer have both persisted with him there - he's perfectly capable of playing there against 70% of teams, using his long passing which is one of his best attributes. 2) A fit and on-form Rashford is way better than him on the left and critical to how United play.

 

[Chesterlestreet]

Plenty of players have operated in centre midfield who were absolutely not there for what they brought to their teams defensively.

Yes, that's true. But Pogba isn't really a playmaker, for one thing - that would be the obvious role a "non-defensive" midfielder might shine in as a deeper player. Pogba is obviously a creative player - but he isn't a playmaker, as such. You wouldn't fancy him as a "DLP". He doesn't have the attributes for that role.

But nevermind all possible configurations in which Pogba may function well (enough) as a CM - at the end of the day it's just not where he truly shines.

He's an attacking midfielder who does his most outstanding work in a free role (of sorts). Based on his performances for both Juventus and United, I'd say we know what his best position/role is.

 

[Hammondo]

He's feckin' shite defensively.

Sorry - but he is.

The only way Pogba functions as a CM - at all - is in a setup where he has minimal defensive duties.

He's an attacking midfielder - that's what he is. And an absolutely brilliant one at that potentially.

ETA He knows this himself - he knows what sort of role he's most comfortable in. See his recent comments.

I agree.

 

[tjb]

He's feckin' shite defensively.

Sorry - but he is.

The only way Pogba functions as a CM - at all - is in a setup where he has minimal defensive duties.

He's an attacking midfielder - that's what he is. And an absolutely brilliant one at that potentially.

ETA He knows this himself - he knows what sort of role he's most comfortable in. See his recent comments.

People don't like it, but Rashford needs to adapt to that right hand side both for United and England. I he were more consistent, this would be a conversation, but he's not.

 

[careyj]

Rashford should play on the left of the attack and Pogba given a more free role between midfield and attack.
On his day Pogba is immense and a winner.

 

[Hammondo]

Rashford should play on the left of the attack and Pogba given a more free role between midfield and attack.
On his day Pogba is immense and a winner.

Pogbas best position this season has been the left and he's been better than rashford there. Pogba in the middle has been a liability unless there are 2 behind him.

 

[tjb]

Rashford should play on the left of the attack and Pogba given a more free role between midfield and attack.
On his day Pogba is immense and a winner.

It's about balance. We can't afford to have two free roles in midfield. A free role off the flank, the left flank.

 

[Ali Dia]

If Rashford hadn’t dropped off so much this wouldn’t even be a conversation. Pogba would almost certainly be on his way out if he hadn't eventually been given a more attacking role and he clearly can’t fully be trusted in midfield, he goes from the sublime to the farcical. Rashford isn’t great on the right. He doesn’t really cross or run to the back post.

The more I think about it the more I think he’s definitely been injured since he came back last year and Ole being Ole is just not going to rest him if he says he’s fit. Rashford thinks he’s helping us and he has but he’s also clearly dragging himself through the season for us but sometimes you just need to take a player out for a rest or an operation for their own good. I’d love to see Rashford step it right up again. We need creativity there as much as goals and Rashford can do it but I think he needs a long rest or a cure to what’s bothering him and to maybe have a bit of a look at his game. He can definitely still become world class if they can get to the bottom of it.

 

[caid]

Its a good problem to have, give Rashford a rest and take a back seat for a couple of weeks, give Bruno a break after and move pogba to the middle, then give cavani a game off and push rashford up front. Bruno and Rashford have been overplayed and we've relied on them too much this season.
You probably dont get them all on the pitch together in their ideal positions. But we need options

 

[shahzy]

4-2-2-2.

Cavani and Rashford up top. With Rashford more likely peeling wide right and dropping deeper to become a CAM while Cavani stays up top more often than not. Bruno and Pogba in the 2 behind the front two. interplaying, doing there thing and linking up with the fullbacks. Then McFred as the 2 primarily only caring about keeping it solid defensively and trying to win the ball back and giving it to bruno and pogba ASAP after the turn over

 

[Albin Johansson]

ATM rashford shouldn't play, he doesn't look too impressive and he's body language is awful. Zero hunger. I'm not saying sell because he can be a great impact sub and we know that he can work wonders but I'm not confident that will happen again before season end, although I would love to be proved wrong and that he's just tired after playing all the fecking time. Martial receives about 10x the critisism for similar performances. Play pogba on the left, who finally looks like the player we want him to be. Right side I don't know honestly, can't ole do some advanced 4-2-3-1 shit with pog, bruno and vdb supplying runs and passes for el matador?

 

[Brightonian]

Did you watch the Roma game? Pogba might as well not have been there. They played past him like he's not there.

But Fred isn't a proper DM, and he was playing in front of a mostly second-string back line.

Literally the entire point I've been trying to make for three posts now. Pogba and Bruno don't have enough defensive presence to play with only Fred but with a more specialist DM I think they might.

 

[Bwuk]

With a proper DM which we don’t have you could play Pogba & Bruno with him in a 3.

With our current options, I think Pogba has to start on the left with Rashford benched probably. Greenwood is more of a threat off the right and Cavani is better uptop.

 

[dal]

Best team,

—————-Cavani——————
Rashford——Bruno——-Pogba

If Cavani out then

—————-Rashford—————
Pogba——-Bruno———-Greenwood

If we could swap Pogba with Grealish we would be lethal.

Pogba is way more effective on the right then Rashford and I think it’s our best team.

 

[Chicharo]

Pogba on the left, Rash on the right, and buy a world class DM. It is that simple

 

[finneh]

Literally the entire point I've been trying to make for three posts now. Pogba and Bruno don't have enough defensive presence to play with only Fred but with a more specialist DM I think they might.

I can't think of a defensive midfielder in world football at the moment who would allow us to play both Pogba and Bruno; without being overrun by any hardworking, half-decent midfield.

In fact I can only think of 4-5 over the last 20 years.

 

[careyj]

Rashford will never be "world class" he is a very poor finisher and not a born goal scorer FACT.
If we get the best from Pogba on the left then play him there. Bruno's game has gone so downhill recently something is definitely amiss.
We need an out and out world class striker and a world class centre half and then we are in big business again challenging for the top prizes.

 

[Brightonian]

I can't think of a defensive midfielder in world football at the moment who would allow us to play both Pogba and Bruno; without being overrun by any hardworking, half-decent midfield.

In fact I can only think of 4-5 over the last 20 years.

You may be right. Still, a man can dream.

 

[Brightonian]

Rashford will never be "world class" he is a very poor finisher and not a born goal scorer FACT.
If we get the best from Pogba on the left then play him there. Bruno's game has gone so downhill recently something is definitely amiss.
We need an out and out world class striker and a world class centre half and then we are in big business again challenging for the top prizes.

He was struggling for a couple of months, true, but I actually think some of his last handful of appearances have been up there with his very best for us. He was brilliant in both games against Roma (despite the scoreline in the latter).

 

[finneh]

You may be right. Still, a man can dream.

In fairness when I think of the quantity of top drawer centre backs and defensive midfielders 20 years ago it definitely feels like things have gone severely backwards.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

I think this will work out well for both today, with Pogba on the left feeding a central Rashford.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Rashford will never be "world class" he is a very poor finisher and not a born goal scorer FACT.
If we get the best from Pogba on the left then play him there. Bruno's game has gone so downhill recently something is definitely amiss.
We need an out and out world class striker and a world class centre half and then we are in big business again challenging for the top prizes.

Not every player has to be this, there are many effective wide players like Mahrez, Grealish, Sterling etc. that can be be great without being a killer of a finisher. In fact in terms of finishing, he's probably better than the three I've mentioned. His progress has been great, every season he's improving - it would be stupid to stop playing him after investing so much in him now that he's 23, when he's on the cusp of reaching his peak.

If he was a 23 year old from Dortmund, playing the way he does - everyone would be begging to sign him.

 

[snk123]

Rashford and Greenwood can not play in the same team. Period. They are way too selfish to have any sort of forward link up play.

I would be crucified for saying this but people will realise it soon. We need technical players throughout the pitch who pass and create and can have one player who we rely on for individual brilliance. i.e. Rashford. So imo Greenwood goes to the bench (comes on when the game is stretched) and starts the odd game or two and Rashford plays on the right with Pogba on the left.

 

[charlenefan]

Rashford and Greenwood can not play in the same team. Period. They are way too selfish to have any sort of forward link up play.

 

[Hammondo]

Literally the entire point I've been trying to make for three posts now. Pogba and Bruno don't have enough defensive presence to play with only Fred but with a more specialist DM I think they might.

I don't think there is a DM that could do it alone.

 

[snk123]

One game - Also long balls on the counter is not "link up" play.

 

[charlenefan]

One game - Also long balls on the counter is not "link up" play.

the pair linked up for 2 goals in the same game, how is that not link up?

 

[smi11ie]

Rashford should not be playing number 9. He keeps involving himself in play outside the box when he should be on the penalty spot. I can't even count the amount of times the ball has flashed across the 6 yard box and he is not there. Greenwood would be better in that position.

 

[talking robot]

Rashford should be on the bench most games. We're better with a front three of Pogba, Cavani and Greenwood. If he wants to start, he needs to show more than Greenwood from the right or Pogba from the left.

 

[TheMitz]

Rashford isn't a number 9, he's a more of a creator who plays best on the left.
Pogba plays best on the left too.

for me that is the problem

 

[King Azaz the Unabridged]

Rashford from open play in the Premier League this season: 10 goals, 9 assists

(Nailed on Manchester United Player of the Season) Bruno Fernandes from open play in the Premier League this season: 8 goals, 11 assists.

RedCafe: Rashford is a midtable forward who should be on the bench most games

 

[Kag]

Both should battle it out for the position on the left. Whoever is most in form plays.

Pogba isn’t right for this side when played deeper and Rashford isn’t as good as Greenwood out on the right.

Fight it out, fellas.

 

[snk123]

Delivers from the right side.

Pogba - Cavani - Rashford

 

[kouroux]

The key is Rashford because Pogba works on the left.

 

[Henandez14]

4-2-2-2.

Cavani and Rashford up top. With Rashford more likely peeling wide right and dropping deeper to become a CAM while Cavani stays up top more often than not. Bruno and Pogba in the 2 behind the front two. interplaying, doing there thing and linking up with the fullbacks. Then McFred as the 2 primarily only caring about keeping it solid defensively and trying to win the ball back and giving it to bruno and pogba ASAP after the turn over

It's quite straightforward isn't it?