Pogba and Bruno ‘have Kane is more able to help each other out’ than ever – Toby
FORMER United midfielder Darren Fletcher has said Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba can form an effective partnership in the Reds’ midfield, as long as both are willing to sacrifice themselves for their teammate.
Pogba is now back to full fitness after struggling with injuries for the majority of the season, and excitement is building over a potential link-up between the Frenchman and January arrival Bruno Fernandes. “Without doubt, of course. Great players can come together,” Fletcher said when asked if the two players could play alongside each other. “Listen, somebody might have to sacrifice a little bit of something - that’s part of being in a team, it’s not an individual sport. “When you play with a certain midfield, whether it’s a midfield three, you adapt your game to complement each other.” The former United man referenced his time at the club as an example. “That’s what I had to do at United. I was in the team with lots of different midfielders, lots of combinations and, if a certain midfielder was playing, I would try to take up positions to allow him to benefit and he would do things to allow me to benefit,” he added.
“It’s all about being compatible and recognising the strengths of your fellow team-mates and how to get your best performance, but, ultimately, you might be sacrificing what you do best to allow someone else to excel, which helps the team win.”
TOBY Alderweireld believes United will face the Harry Kane of old when the teams meet on Friday evening.
The Tottenham striker underwent hamstring surgery on January 1 in a procedure that looked likely to rule him out of the majority - if not all of the rest of the season.
Yet the coronavirus suspension has given Kane time to get fit and he is now in training ahead of Spurs’ first game back, against United at Old Trafford.
Alderweireld now says any fears the long break may leave Kane rusty are unfounded and that the striker looks as good as ever in training.
“In training he looks fully fit, top fit, so we’re going to see the old Kane again,” the Spurs defender said.
“He has been out for a longer period so his desire to show everyone is unbelievable, so you’re going to see a very good Kane.”
With Spurs seven points off the Premier League’s top four, Friday’s game against fifthplaced United is a vital one if they want to qualify for the Champions League, and Alderweireld is not playing down the importance of their remaining fixtures.
He added: “I know it’s a cliche but it’s nine games and we have to see it as nine finals
“We have to get good momentum and the first is a very big game. We are going to do everything we can to reach the top four.”