BOURNEMOUTH v MAN UNITED TO WIN! New star’s shadow hangs over squad
PAUL POGBA will be nowhere near the Manchester United team when the action begins at Bournemouth this lunchtime. But make no mistake – United’s opening game of the season is ALL about Pogba. For up to HALF Jose Mourinho’s matchday squad on the south coast could be under threat from Pogba’s arrival – including captain Wayne Rooney. That reality could make this season- opener the biggest audition the Vitality Stadium has seen with United stars anxious for a last chance to impress before Pogba takes the No.6 shirt – and someone’s place in the team. Mourinho says he will operate two systems this season – a 4- 3- 3 and a 4-2-3-1. Either way, some bigname noses will be out of joint in the next few weeks and Rooney isn’t the only one wondering where Jose’s axe will fall. Pogba wore No.10 at Juventus last season and often operated in a creative midfield role, carving out chances and scoring goals. If Mourinho plays him that way, where does that leave his captain Rooney? With Zlatan Ibrahimovic claiming the No.9 shirt, Rooney could be shifted out left in a 4-3-3. But where does that leave Anthony Martial?
And if he’s pushed out right, what about £26.3million Henrikh Mkhitaryan? Or FA Cup Final hero Jesse Lingard?
That’s without even mentioning England whizz-kid Marcus Rashford or £25m Memphis Depay. Get the picture?
It’s the same if Pogba is in the two in a 4-23-1 leaving Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini and Morgan Schneiderlin wondering if they will get sufficient game time.
Reality
At £89m, Pogba is likely to be playing every minute possible. And as United prepare to enter a new era, Mourinho knows his biggest selection problem is next Friday – not at Bournemouth today.
He acknowledged: “The players are never happy when they are not playing. There are always words, words and words, but the reality is no player is happy when he is not playing.
“I will have two systems. Eventually, during a match, sometimes you are pushed to different situations.
“But basically, the principles of play we work on every day are about systems with lots of similarities, where the players are comfortable with that.
“The systems are adapted to their qualities, so we can get the best out of them and adapt to the qualities of our opponents. “But what is most important is that the players should feel comfortable on the pitch. And they are only comfortable when they know what to do. So we are not going to play three, four, five, 10 systems.” The worry for some of Mourinho’s squad at Bournemouth will be getting enough minutes to stay happy. England boss Sam Allardyce has already expressed his hope that 18-year-old striker Marcus Rashford plays regularly – and Mourinho insists he will. “I like him a lot. He is very good. Of course he is a young boy and has a lot to learn,” added the United boss. “At his age he can have ups and downs and you have to support him if that is the case. But potentially, yes, he is a very good player. “The England squad is Sam’s decision, not mine. But he is one of my important players. He will play a lot and then it is down to Sam to make a decision.” Mourinho can’t wait for the season to start, saying: “I’m excited, yes. I don’t like friendlies. You go to the game and it doesn’t matter the way I read the game, the changes are already organised. “I don’t like that feeling. “I l i ke the competition.” JOSHUA KING insists pal Paul Pogba is worth “every penny” of his world record £89m transfer fee. Bournemouth striker King starred in the Manchester United youth teams with Pogba before their careers split. Now, Cherries ace King is keen to catch up with his former team-mate when the sides meet today. King said: “I played with Paul Pogba when I was there and he is an amazing player. He is one of the best midfielders, if not the best, in the world right now. Not many players have left United and come back – but he is worth every penny.”