Robbo backs ‘special’ pairing

UNITED legend Bryan Robson says Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba can play in the same team and compared the pair to Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard.

Fernandes has been an instant hit at Old Trafford after arriving from Sporting Lisbon in the January transfer window.

The Portuguese midfielder has added an extra dynamic in the centre of the park, which was sorely missed in Pogba’s absence. Now the French World Cup winner is fit and Robson believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can accommodate both players in the same team.

“They are both special talents,” said the former Reds skipper.

“He’s (Fernandes) scored goals, entertained everyone and taken pressure off the defence.

“We all know that Paul is a great talent. What he’s got to do now is to fit into whatever role that Ole wants him to play, whether that’s further forwards, with Fernandes dropping back, or the other way around.

“It’s like when people used to say [Steven] Gerrard and [Frank] Lampard couldn’t play together because they were similar but I think they could have done. Lampard was always going to be an attacking player, and Gerrard had it in his locker to defend and read the game well.”

Robson said Pogba would have to adapt his approach if Solskjaer wants him to play in a more withdrawn midfield role to free up Fernandes in attack.

“He (Pogba) could play that sitting role, and Paul has got the ability to do it, too, but what he has got to do is to take on more responsibility on the defensive side of the game if Ole is going to ask him to play that role,” Robson added.