Paul Pogba made all the headlines for the wrong reason when he was guilty of paying a penalty for a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United’s Arsenal on Sunday.
The question of how the Frenchman’s fitness, especially when it comes to the likes of Bruno Fernandez and Donnie van de Beck, has long been on Ol Gunnar’s Solskazar team at Old Trafford.
But will he still be in the top eleven of United? Here sports experts from Chris Sutan, Micah Richards, Ian Ladyman and Chris Wheeler give their insights on how the Red Devils should line up.
There are questions about whether Paul Pogba is eligible to start playing for Manchester United
It is unknown at this time what he will do after leaving the post.
Chris Sutton
At least not compatible with Manchester United. They will lose to Crystal Palace one week later, beating Brighton the next. Suppose six at Tottenham, then four at Newcastle.
Paris Saint-Germain and Arab Leipzig have been beaten on the European stage, but have lost to Arsenal for the first time since 2015.
The system I have chosen is 4-2-3-1-1. David de Gea surpassed Dean Henderson by scoring – I have criticized the Spaniard in the past, but he has not dropped a clumsy late.
Chris Sutton will pick Fred (left) and Scott McTomney (center right) to start 4-2-3-1
A stiff back. A midfield pairing between Fred and Scott McMahon – the same screen that secured the back line against PSG. That means Paul Pogba has no place.
He can be a great talent, but I like to provide defensive stability to my midfield. Bruno Fernandez is my number ten. To his left is Marcus Rashford and to his right is Mason Greenwood.
This leaves Anthony Marshall as my main striker and completes a winning combination that Ole Gunnar Soulsky finished using last season.
Micah is rich
What a challenge! It actually aroused my sympathy for Solskzar, as I tried to come up with 11 names and put them into a functional structure. Once I thought my team had caught a crack, I would script it and start again. Good luck thanks I’m not a director.
Manchester United’s best XI? You’d assume De Zia would be an automatic pick but I found myself repeatedly wrestling with Henderson’s name. De Gea did nothing wrong against Arsenal and got my vote but rest assured, Henderson’s time will come soon.
Once the goalkeeper had gone out I immediately thought of the back four. Then I went three backs on the wings. But I changed my mind because it’s not suitable for Aaron One-Biscay, so it’s back again.
I have three goals in front of me, I’m sure of it. The biggest puzzle was the midfield. The more I tried, the less space I would find for Donnie van de Beek. So I went for the experience – Fernandez and Pogba in front of Neymana Matic.
Micah Richards believes United will do best if they are part of a three-man midfield in a 4-3-3 formation with Pogba Matic and Bruno Fernandes.
Ian Lademan
The title of these pages was ‘Bruno Twice in Reds Run Riot’. Solskjr’s side won six of their last three defeats to United, beating Brighton 3-0 earlier in the day and drawing their last nine Premier League titles. .
It was a combined team who were excited with confidence and the first three of Rashford, Greenwood and Marshall against Brighton that night were devastating.
For the first time in a long time, United were benefiting from a stable side and it surprised me that Soulskazar has now moved away from this season.
He seems to be completely confused as to whether he will play Pogba again and if so where.
This has enabled McMahon and Fred to infiltrate 11 early starts and this is not a good sign. Both are honest players but there are obvious limitations.
Pogba doesn’t often help himself but he did show at the end of the term that he could play as part of the holding duo – even if he didn’t particularly want to. Soskazar found the source of his victory in the summer and should return to it now.
Solskire should go back to his winning streak where Pogba sat behind Fernandez in midfield
Chris Wheeler
Without consistency and intensity the team doesn’t consider anything of selection and formation, as Manchester United have discovered their cost.
Nevertheless, Soulskazar has yet to find a system that achieves the best among his players and midfield is a particular problem.
Not surprisingly, Pogba is at the root of it all.
I will persevere for the time being and want to use Pogba in a more advanced role, sitting next to Fernandes in support of Marshall, Rashford and Greenwood.
Chris Wheeler believes Pogba (left) should be used in a more advanced role, sitting next to Fernandes (right) at the top of Marshall, Rashford and Greenwood.
That means only one holding midfielder and a lot of advanced Fred McMonoy and Matic agreed in front.
I can make up for the loss of defensive midfield cover by playing Axel Tuanzebi alongside center-back Harry Maguire; A great defender who is more capable than skilled for him due to his lack of first-team experience at United.
No. 2 goalkeeper Henderson and new signing Alex Tales are on the bench, but both can count.
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