Want to get best out of Pogba? Fergie’s Scott the answer
SIR ALEX RECKONS ROOKIE McTOMINAY CAN HELP UNLOCK £89M STAR’S TRUE POTENTIAL
JOSE MOURINHO has been urged to set Paul Pogba free this weekend when Manchester United’s record £89million signing is restored to their starting line-up.
Pogba was benched by Mourinho for United’s 2-0 win over Huddersfield, following his poor performance in the 2-0 midweek away defeat to Tottenham.
The France international is set to be recalled for Sunday’s trip to Newcastle, but the United manager still faces the challenge of how to ensure he gets the very best out of him.
And young United midfielder Scott McTominay, who has impressed former boss Sir Alex Ferguson, could hold the key to Mourinho achieving that.
McTominay, 21, has shone in his 12 appearances this season and was collared by Fergie during Tuesday’s ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of the Munich air disaster. The Scot appeared to be offering him some words of encouragement and gestured towards the youngster when speaking with Mourinho moments later, seemingly endorsing his value to the team.
With Ander Herrera struggling for a start under Mourinho, McTominay (below) could provide the solution to getting the best out of Pogba, by playing deep alongside Nemanja Matic and letting the Frenchman push forward where he is more comfortable.
Against Tottenham, Pogba was deployed alongside Matic in a more defensive role, in which he struggled and was substituted with just over an hour gone at Wembley.
United legend and newly appointed Wales boss Ryan Giggs believes Pogba is at his best when he is released of defensive duties and allowed to express his natural attacking instincts. With Mourinho preferring to play with two holding midfielders, that could see Jesse Lingard make way to allow Pogba to operate in a more advanced role. “One of the best games Pogba had was the Everton game, on the left of Matic – in a similar position to the one he played at Juventus – and Ander Herrera was on the right,” said Giggs. “I think that position where he’s on the left of a midfield three is where he’s at his best. “He’s a brilliant crosser of the ball and I don’t think he’s as effective when he has to do more defensive work in central areas. I’d like to see him in a 4-3-3 ,with Matic sitting, Herrera to the right and Pogba to the left, with the front three thriving off more creativity behind them.
“United’s attacking players are, without a doubt, capable of winning the Premier League next season.
“They’ve got pace, guile, goals, experience and make up a really top forward line.”
Although United trail Premier League leaders Manchester City by 13 points, Giggs reckons they are as impressive going forward as Pep Guardiola’s side.
“I’d say the forward line is as good as City’s,” said Giggs. “But the difference is the way of playing, with Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva behind, consistently finding the front three for City.
“United have Pogba, who could potentially be as good as them, but then Matic is more defensive, so it’s just that creative area where City have got the upper hand.”