I want push
PAUL POGBA has told Jose Mourinho he would rather play in an attacking midfield role for Manchester United.
But the France star says he will strive to adapt to whichever position the United boss feels is best for him.
Pogba has made a slow start to his second stint at Old Trafford having arrived from Juventus for a worldrecord fee of £89million in August, four years after leaving for Turin.
He has tended to feature as one of two holding midfielders in the 4-2-3-1 set-up Mourinho prefers, but has scored just once in eight matches for United this season and has struggled to impose himself.
The 23-year-old thrived at Juventus in a 4-3-3 formation, initially with playmaker Andrea Pirlo sitting deep, giving both Pogba and Arturo Vidal a licence to get forward.
Last season, the Frenchman helped Juve to a fifth successive title as he and Sami Khedira took the attacking midfield positions, with Claudio Marchisio fulfilling the holding role following Pirlo’s departure for New York City FC.
However, the new arrival is being asked to sit back more at United, a move that does not play to his attacking strengths, and which has raised questions about his tactical flexibility.
Pogba said: “I try to adapt. I am a player who would rather go forward. The coach gave me instructions. I try to follow them. I have to retrieve balls and make defensive efforts.”
He struggled in a similar manner during Euro 2016 when France coach Didier Deschamps switched from 4-3-3 part-way through the tournament to a 4-2-3-1 formation in order to accommodate Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann in his preferred LEIGHTON Baines is set to return to Everton’s line-up for Saturday’s showdown with Manchester City.
The left-back has missed the last two league matches with a hamstring injury but is now fit enough to be considered for a return at the Etihad.
Manager Ronald Koeman used Bryan Oviedo at full-back in the loss to Bournemouth and the draw with Crystal Palace and Baines is likely to replace the Costa Rica international. NEIL TAYLOR has as much reason as anyone to offer new Swansea manager Bob Bradley a warm welcome.
It was the defender’s touchline spat with former boss Francesco Guidolin, after being substituted against Chelsea, that revealed all was not well.
Taylor, who was with Wales when Bradley was appointed, said: “What happened with Francesco was just football. The frustration was more from the team not performing.”