Paul Pogba recently laid down the law to Manchester United that he is not offered enough freedom to foray forward.
In an interview with L’Equipe, Pogba explained that he has more license to roam when he plays for his national team- or when he featured for Juventus- than Ole Gunnar Solskjaer allows him.
“It’s true that at Juve it was different from Manchester United,” said the midfielder.
“We were already playing with three midfielders (at Juve), in 5-3-2. I had the freedom, I had to be in the box, to attack.”
Pogba was also asked about the alterations between United and Le Blues.
He said: “We play in 4-2-3-1, also a diamond. I am a little more in the transmission, in the construction. But I have more freedom than in Manchester to enter the box, to make runs forwards.”
Based on his latest omission, here are three ways Solskjaer’s side could line up to adhere to Pogba’s wishes.
4-2-3-1
Last season, the Frenchman was generally deployed out on the left-hand side in the front four of this formation.
This limited his creative outlay somewhat as he also had to focus on his defensive duties.
Bruno Fernandes often filled the space behind the striker, with Marcus Rashford or Mason Greenwood operating on the opposite flank.
If Solskjaer moved Pogba into a more central area, it would allow the 28-year-old greater access to express himself.
Of course, this would require shifting Fernandes out of position, which may not suit the Portuguese international.
However, he was often found dropping deep to receive the ball when United’s play lulled, so Solskjaer could well deploy him as one of the two holding midfielders.
4-3-3
Within this set-up, Pogba can play as one of the three men in the centre.
Having the protection of two teammates beside him, he would be able to push upfield without the fear of having to defend so often.
Fernandes could also feature as the third man, with Scott McTominay or Fred acting as the deepest midfielder.
That would then possibly allow both Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford to play together, rather than one missing out.
3-4-2-1
This is certainly the wild card choice, but one that Pogba may feel most at home with.
It’s a variation on the formation Juventus used during his time in a Serie A, a spell that shot him to stardom and eventually back to Old Trafford.
In Italy, he had a combination of Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal, or Claudio Marchisio beside him in midfield, with the France star acting as Juve’s flair player.
Permitted Solskjaer switched to a 3-4-2-1, Pogba could easily occupy one of the two behind the main centre-forward.
However, unless United’s manager used two of his attacking assets at wing-backs, he may have to sacrifice Rashford or Greenwood.
Finding two centre-halves to go alongside Harry Maguire might also prove tricky.
A highly unlikely scenario in all circumstances, but one that cannot quite be overlooked.
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