Who should be our #10 or Advanced AM?

[Drz]

Not Pogba. There was a reason he got owned vs PSG in that position last year.

 

[Allas8]

Not Pogba. There was a reason he got owned vs PSG in that position last year.

This, Pogba just going to be marked out of the game as a #10, and he does not have the mobility to shake his mark.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

If we had a competent DM I'd say Pogba, but as we don't (and we don't know if Fred is up to being a starter in our midfield yet) then I'd say Mata. He was very good against Southampton and alright against Leicester (and actually put together our best move of the game).

 

[Drz]

This, Pogba just going to be marked out of the game as a #10, and he does not have the mobility to shake his mark.

Agreed. Mobility and I'd add that he is off the mark in terms of pressing intensity provided by modern 10s as well. No problem using him in the position vs "lesser" teams or ones that don't deploy an out-n-out defensive midfielder but i'd rather find a long term solution.

 

[Buster15]

Pogba. He is our only midfielder with match-winning quality, there really isn't much point sticking him deeper when be does his best work closer to goal.

Yes. It is clear that Ole is not yet convinced by Gomes and I have to say that I have not seen him perform yet.
A number 10 is a vitally important role and the best performers in that position tend to be more experienced.
We really only have one creator and that is Pogba.
I am not convinced that he is best utilised playing so deep because he tends to be closed down quickly or looses possesion in dangerous areas.
Failing that, Mata has the necessary range of passing.

 

[Son]

Mata is a decent player and had a good game on the weekend.

So a player who has played 3 games and done well is classified as tearing up a whole league?

We can do better than Mata after moving him on in the coming summer. That should be the aim.

I said "who knows" about his ability but the evidence so far points to him having the potential to be a world beater much like Vinicious at Real when he appeared in their first 11 last season.
I hope Gomez can step up and do it too. It perpelxes me how he hasn't had more game time given the way he unlocked defences in the summer.

 

[romufc]

We can do better than Mata after moving him on in the coming summer. That should be the aim.

I said "who knows" about his ability but the evidence so far points to him having the potential to be a world beater much like Vinicious at Real when he appeared in their first 11 last season.
I hope Gomez can step up and do it too. It perpelxes me how he hasn't had more game time given the way he unlocked defences in the summer.

Yep, I think Mata will be used sparingly. I got the feeling Ole was expecting alot more from Lingard this season and he has massively dissapointed therefore he has to use Mata.

 

[TRUERED89]

Not Pogba. There was a reason he got owned vs PSG in that position last year.

It's not his fault the rest of the midfield offers nothing to take the burden off him, when man marked that should give other players more time to create, but we never see it. Pogba is best closer to the goal, which was evident in our 17 match unbeaten run last season.

 

[mattunited1978]

Gomes...Need to find out what we'v got with him

 

[TRUERED89]

Pogba has proved that he's devastating near the oppo goal, headers, long power shots, curlers, sneaky through balls, if it isn't Angel, it HAS to be Pogba!

 

[red4ever 79]

We'd need to be closer to the inner workings to be able to answer that. It isn't talent. Perhaps physically they are seeing in training that he isn't quite there yet, or maybe mentally. Clearly he is viewed as not quite ready right now - the stage is perfectly set to bring in exactly the type of player that he looked to be in pre-season, but we've seen lots of young talent look impressive pre-season and then not figure.

I am hoping they get opportunities in the Europa and the domestic cups. Pointless paying Jones and Mata

 

[Solius]

Feels like #10’s are a bit of a dying breed these days. Think the era of that kind of player is coming to an end.

 

[Matt007a]

Very few teams play with a number 10 these days. You've got to be an attacking midfielder who is willing to put in the yards and carry the ball as well. Pogba is easily the best choice for this role, but it does require someone with more defensive quality to play behind him. Matic is past it and McTominay has the energy but is not a ball winning specialist or an expert reader of the game to break up play. Same for Fred. If we had a Kante or a Fernandinho then Pogba would absolutely boss games for us and create so much more.

 

[Shalashaska]

Depends on the opposition

Personally I would go without a 10 whenever we play a team with an inferior midfield to ours that we should dominate. For example when we play a Bournemouth or Brighton we should just play Martial and Rashford up top, and through having more of the ball in the middle Pogba should be able to make things happen as well as the wingers.

But when we come up against a team that could cause us damage in the middle like City, we should drop one of the strikers to the wing or bench, add in an additional CM and push Pogba forward (but still not as a true 10 because it is in no way his position despite every fan thinking it is)

 

[Devil may care]

Pogba, not as #10 but more as 3rd midfielder in 4-3-3.

Agred, at this point in time with our options it makes the most sense, but if we are chasing a game and Ole drops Pogba deeper to add a pure #10 to the attack, then Gomes should be first off the bench.

 

[Drz]

It's not his fault the rest of the midfield offers nothing to take the burden off him, when man marked that should give other players more time to create, but we never see it. Pogba is best closer to the goal, which was evident in our 17 match unbeaten run last season.

I am not going to disagree that our midfield is lacking but he was served in good positions in that game as a 10 but just didn't show the necessary hustle. I see him as a stop-gap solution for that position, not a long term one; also I wouldn't do it versus good teams or teams with a good DM.

 

[TRUERED89]

I am not going to disagree that our midfield is lacking but he was served in good positions in that game as a 10 but just didn't show the necessary hustle. I see him as a stop-gap solution for that position, not a long term one; also I wouldn't do it versus good teams or teams with a good DM.

You'd prefer Pogba in a midfield 2 against good teams who'll have the ball a lot and also be pressing like hell? To give Pogba a lot to think about defensively than in attack? That's one reason he gets so much stick (his defensive side, also one of the reasons Jose fell out with him so severely) He's the best in a 3, he's says that himself. I'd be more than happy to see him pushed further up and let McT and Fred do the water carrying for the most part.

 

[Zlatattack]

Pogba. He's at his best when attacking, he has the freedom to be creative, he's strong and he's good on the ball, he's also very intelligent and can create something from nothing. I think he's best there, feeding our wide attackers and striker. Play Fred/Mctomminay behind him - get them some backup in the January window.

 

[MrSingh2002]

Pogba McTominay Fred

Every fan knows that needs to be the midfield.

Everyone except Ole.

 

[Zlatattack]

People mentioning the PSG game forget that the rest of the midfield offered nothing, he was the only creative outlet and he was marked out of the game easily because we only went through him (especially after Lingard came off, who was in form at the time).

Hopefully a front 3 of Rashford James and Martial offer a lot more movement and attacking threat, and if Fred and McTomminay can add some attacking quality to the energy, then hopefully there is enough in our team that Pogba is not the sole source of creativity.

 

[Zlatattack]

I also don't think we should always play with a 10, he can play in a midfield 3, but give him more lisence to roam/attack than the other two.

 

[SparkedIntoLife]

At the moment, I'd say Lingard is the best of a bad bunch. Gomes has real potential and I think he needs blooding slowly but surely this season as I think he'll leave if this doesn't happen. Start him wide left in the cups to ease him in and then move him centrally towards the end of games if we're winning comfortably.

In world football, you won't find many better emerging AMs than Kai Havertz and physically he's ready made for the Premier League. I think he's beyond us though and if we spend the 100m plus it'll cost, that'll go on Sancho only.

 

[Drz]

You'd prefer Pogba in a midfield 2 against good teams who'll have the ball a lot and also be pressing like hell? To give Pogba a lot to think about defensively than in attack? That's one reason he gets so much stick (his defensive side, also one of the reasons Jose fell out with him so severely) He's the best in a 3, he's says that himself. I'd be more than happy to see him pushed further up and let McT and Fred do the water carrying for the most part.

I agree with the point you are making regarding Pogba's defensive contribution in midfield, but that is an argument to play him as the creative box-to-box midfielder in a midfield 3 not as a 10. I'd argue it is maybe time Pogba realised he has work to do to be a proper all-round midfielder, because even at Madrid, he won't be played as a 10 (at least I don't think so), and he will get the same backlash he does here (if not worst) if he is as inconsitent as he is for us in deep areas.

I firmly believe he needs to improve for both positions, as a creator in a midfield 3 or a as 10: Needs more hustle, to be a bit quicker at releasing the ball as well.

I'm not vehemently against the idea at him playing as the 10, so sure let's try it again, but I'm hoping Gomes proves in the cup games that he has the quick feet, the hustle and the speed of passing to make that position his own. (Because I believe that is what will be best for us long term).

 

[TRUERED89]

I agree with the point you are making regarding Pogba's defensive contribution in midfield, but that is an argument to play him as the creative box-to-box midfielder in a midfield 3 not as a 10. I'd argue it is maybe time Pogba realised he has work to do to be a proper all-round midfielder, because even at Madrid, he won't be played as a 10 (at least I don't think so), and he will get the same backlash he does here (if not worst) if he is as inconsitent as he is for us in deep areas.

I firmly believe he needs to improve for both positions, as a creator in a midfield 3 or a as 10: Needs more hustle, to be a bit quicker at releasing the ball as well.

I'm not vehemently against the idea at him playing as the 10, so sure let's try it again, but I'm hoping Gomes proves in the cup games that he has the quick feet, the hustle and the speed of passing to make that position his own. (Because I believe that is what will be best for us long term).

In a midfield 3 as the most advanced, or a pure CAM/10, either way he needs to stop playing CDM in a 2, it just doesn't work!

 

[ValenciaRocks]

Pogba.

The most creative player in the squad, he had the most assists last season, player with both world class vision & passing ability. If we want to ensure that he doesn’t cost us in the game with him taking too many touches in dangerous area then we need to play him in advanced role not deeper role to get the best out of him.

I just don’t understand why Ole or some people don’t think it’s a good idea to let him play in no 10. He has the tools. We already have Maguire who can play from the back and definitely has the ability to deliver the ball penetrate the midfield area to our attacking mid. I just don’t see the point to play Pogba deep now, beside I always thought we signed Fred so we can release Pogba further forward. And having Fred in deeper role with Pogba as no 10 is more effective than having Mata or Lingard or Pereira as no 10 with Pogba playing around in deeper role.

This...

Plus give Gomes chances in the Europa (which should happen)....

If he sets the Europa on fire then he can stake his claim.

Until then, Pogba is surely the obvious choice.

 

[SAFMUTD]

We currently don’t play with a 10 and none of our players can fit that position. Maybe Mata but he is way past it.

Anyway its clear that neither Lingard nor Pereira have the skill to command the creative side of the team. I would very much prefer to give Gomes their minutes, he may actually become good enough.

 

[Ekeke]

None of them. We should have moved Mata on in the summer and bought one. But out of the players we have now I'd give Gomes chances at least off the bench.

We know what we're going to get with Mata and Lingard. Its not good enough

 

[Freak]

There really is only one realistic option when you want quality and that’s Pogba. Just put the guy in that role and give him a free role to dictate our Attack. Let everyone else do the hustling.

 

[Saucisson]

Ødegaard.. next season :P

 

[Noc-Z]

No #10, but Pogba in the most advanced of a 3.

Just echoing those who have said Fred and McTominay behind him...it's the best combination I can think of with what we have.

 

[devilish]

Gk: DDG

RB: AWB
CB: Maguire
Cb: Lindelof
LB: Shaw

DM: McT
MC: Fred
AM: Pogba

AMR: James
AML: Martial

STK: Rashy

 

[jderbyshire]

We currently don’t play with a 10 and none of our players can fit that position. Maybe Mata but he is way past it.

Anyway its clear that neither Lingard nor Pereira have the skill to command the creative side of the team. I would very much prefer to give Gomes their minutes, he may actually become good enough.

Don't we?

I didn't watch the full game v Leicester, but from the highlights it looked like Mata as no.10 and then Pereira at no.10 when Mata went off.

I know the three behind the striker tend to swap about a bit, but what would you say the formation was?

 

[SAFMUTD]

Don't we?

I didn't watch the full game v Leicester, but from the highlights it looked like Mata as no.10 and then Pereira at no.10 when Mata went off.

I know the three behind the striker tend to swap about a bit, but what would you say the formation was?

I think we played 4-2-3-1 with Mata covering the area between the 8, 10 and RW. Pereira swapping between center and right and James fixed on the left. After Mata was sub Pereira took over his spot and Chong was fixed on the right.

The point you mention about the 3 players behind the striker swapping is exactly my point, we have no fixed number 10 and I don’t think we should play with one a purely number 10 is a luxury nowadays and surely one we can’t give us specially with the players we’ve got.

 

[Gasolin]

Pogba McTominay Fred

Every fan knows that needs to be the midfield.

Everyone except Ole.

How? Fred was not fit so how could we have used that midfield so far?

 

[Gasolin]

There really is only one realistic option when you want quality and that’s Pogba. Just put the guy in that role and give him a free role to dictate our Attack. Let everyone else do the hustling.

But when he got marked we were toothless... I think that's partly the reason why we are pushing down Pogba to get him further away from the pressure and give him space to create.

 

[Majima]

I think our midfield should be a pivot with McTominay & Fred. Always 2 up front with Martial & Rashford (one can be inverted winger sometimes, which should be Rashford as Martial's hold-up play is significantly better). Then depending on the system you wanted to use, Pogba can naturally fit into the other slot with a winger on the other side in James/Whoever.

We could even possibly play a lop-sided 4-4-2 away from home with Fred & McTominay as the base, Pogba on the left, James on the right and Martial + Rashford up-front.

The really good ability of our team is that Martial & Rashford are capable of playing as inverted wingers whilst Pogba loves to drift to the left also. When you play Pogba in a 2, you stifle a main part of the teams creativity. We have the ability to create overloads on the left that we really should be taking advantage of with James' electric pace on the other wing. That's what i want to see us utilising more often.

Spoiler

http://sharemytactics.com/134449/

 

[Snuffkin]

Pogba ( you can't trust him too near our goal) or Greenwood (who is the pick of the academy kids)

 

[Andersons Dietician]

I mean if he isn’t going to play Pogba there and wants to bed Gomes in slowly then I’d rather see Fred as a 10 than have to watch Lingard try it again. Mata is just meh in the position.

 

[gerdm07]

Pogba, and give him freedom to go anywhere. Play McT and Fred as defensive mids and they should be restricted in going forward. Pogba should show up on the wings many times during the match.

............Martial
James....Pogba.....Greenwood
.......Fred........McT
Shaw....Maguire...Lindelof....AWB

This is, by far, our best lineup IMO. This may change if Gomes plays well on Thursday.

 

[manunited1919]

Pogba, and give him freedom to go anywhere. Play McT and Fred as defensive mids and they should be restricted in going forward. Pogba should show up on the wings many times during the match.

............Martial
James....Pogba.....Greenwood
.......Fred........McT
Shaw....Maguire...Lindelof....AWB

This is, by far, our best lineup IMO. This may change if Gomes plays well on Thursday.

No Rashford. Hmm, interesting formation and one I’d like to see. But Ole won’t bench Rashford anytime soon.