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Paul Pogba will be unleashed as a No 10 with more freedom to do what he likes when Manchester United attack... but how will Bruno Fernandes and Co work with the fit-again Frenchman in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's new-look line-up?

* Paul Pogba will be match fit when Manchester United return against Tottenham
* Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would have had to find a new position for the midfielder
* He will play him as a No 10, reportedly, with Bruno Fernandes also in the side

Beyond sorting out food deliveries, figuring out which Netflix series to binge next and scheduling his mandatory walk, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would have had one big question on his mind during lockdown.

How, exactly, would he fit Paul Pogba back into his side?

The return of the Premier League was always likely to coincide with the Frenchman's return to full fitness and for Solskjaer, that was something of an issue.

Manchester United were on form before football was suspended, with January arrival Bruno Fernandes impressing in their midfield.

Around him, the likes of Fred and Scott McTominay were also playing well, while Nemanja Matic had filled in when called upon by the Norwegian. Pogba has spent this time on the sidelines, recovering from a long-running ankle issue that has been a problem all season.

But Pogba was never going to be left in reserve when he became available again. Whatever the doubts are over his attitude or performances during stages of his Old Trafford career, this is a World Cup winner and an asset in his prime years.


Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has earmarked Paul Pogba for a role as a No 10. The impressive form of Bruno Fernandes means a decision had to be made over his new role. Pogba has spent a lot of the season on the sidelines yet is an important asset for United. Solskjaer will have had to give a lot of thought to where he could play the midfielder

Solskjaer now seems to have a solution. In an attempt to get him working with Fernandes, who has a similar profile to him, he is going to move Pogba into attacking midfield.

The 27-year-old played behind the striker as a No 10 during an intra-squad friendly at Old Trafford last weekend.

While he is still working on his fitness, having not played since Boxing Day, Solskjaer is said to have been impressed with Pogba in that role.

Others have called on him to play there in the past. Paul Parker said in 2018: 'The game comes very easy to Pogba and I just wonder, if long-term, he might be better suited in the No 10 role, where he can do what he likes more or less in that final part of the pitch.

'Pogba's at his best when he can be creative and make things happen going forward. Remove the shackles and get him in positions where he can go at players one versus one, or has the freedom to run in behind and ask questions of the opposition defence that way.'

It is a role that he has played before, although not necessarily to the greatest success at United.

In truth, it diminishes what he is best at. Pogba can drive the ball from deep – although not defensive midfield – which is why France use him on the left side of a three.

His ability to break through defensive lines with his dribbling rather than passing means he is better in central midfield.


Pogba does not have the numbers to back him up as a No 10 during his time at United. But he impressed in that role during an intra-squad friendly at Old Trafford at the weekend

There is a notion that being a No 10 gives him more freedom – but he performs better when he's given that while further back in midfield.

It is why he is such a success for France. With N'Golo Kante alongside him as a water-carrier and Blaise Matuidi having defensive nous, it means that while he is in a midfield three, Pogba can burst forward and join attacks.

He also, quite simply, does not have the numbers to make him a suitable No 10. In his time at United, he has only created 1.81 chances per 90 mins. Compare that to Fernandes, who has 2.21. Other No 10s in Juan Mata and the departed Henrikh Mkhitaryan managed more.

The other question is whether Pogba moving forward will diminish the new boy. Fernandes has been playing in an attacking midfield role, with Fred, McTominay and Matic filling spots behind him.

It has worked. He has been a creative force and scored three in nine games.

Solskjaer himself has spotted how well the Portuguese works with his preferred No 9: 'He's working hard and for me Anthony (Martial) was on the way to his best season at Manchester United so let's see if he finishes it off and kicks on again.

'Tony and Bruno [Fernandes] have hit it off together so it's a partnership that we hope can flourish.

'We knew he was a quality player and knew that when he came in he would have an impact straight away but you never know if he's going to settle early in a new country but he's taken to it like a duck to water.'

The risk is cutting that short unnaturally. If the uptick in form has been dependent on that partnership, moving Fernandes back could see them drop off again.

Then again, football teams are finely balanced and the return of Marcus Rashford on the left could give them back any edge they lose. He has recovered from his back injury and was doing well in the early stages of the campaign.

Fred has impressed enough to be given a place beside Fernandes, and, slyly, he is probably United's best defensive-minded midfielder these days.

No player in the side who has featured in more than five league games has managed to win possession more times than his 9.81 per 90 minutes.

In fact, Fred might be able to replicate Kante's role. The Chelsea man has managed to win the ball back less than the Brazilian, at 8.58 per 90 minutes.

Further up the pitch, on the right, Mason Greenwood has been a useful addition from the academy this season.

Pogba will be surrounded by quality and if he plays well there, the team could flourish.

Solskjaer has previously discussed pairing Pogba and Fernandes: 'We have an exciting squad. Bruno coming in and making the impact he made was great for everyone, it was a boost for the club.

'Good players can always play together, so yes Paul and Bruno can certainly.

'We will find a good connection between them, we have discussed it as a coaching team.'

If the discussion has led to this solution and Pogba has shown he suits it, then Spurs will need to be prepared for a new look United next Friday.


How United could line-up for their first game back against Spurs on Friday night next week

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-8405887/How-Manchester-United-stars-Paul-Pogba-Bruno-Fernandes-work-together.html