[Alemar]

We saw today what squad depth means: 1-1, need a win, and we can put Pogba on, not Pereira. Perhaps not fit for entire match (yet), he was brilliant for 30 minutes and got a vital assist. Excellent

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Ole would have wanted him to impact that game from the bench and I felt that's exactly what he did. Not only did he get the assist that won the game, but he changed (a lot of credit to Ole for a change of formation) the flow of the game.

The position he played when he came on is where I, and a lot of others, would like to see him, which is further up the pitch, where he can be more of an influence in the final third. The diamond allowed Ole to do that, whilst having the legs of Fred and McTominay to cover.

Good cameo!

 

[JJ12]

We saw today what squad depth means: 1-1, need a win, and we can put Pogba on, not Pereira. Perhaps not fit for entire match (yet), he was brilliant for 30 minutes and got a vital assist. Excellent

Correct and that’s even without Cavani and Greenwood in the squad

 

[Devil may care]

Played well, added more guile to the attack and showed his experience in seeing the game out. Ole used him off the left in the 4-2-3-1 in the way Zidane was used for Real Madrid under Capello.

 

[RuudTom83]

A solution to the lack of squad depth is to not play a "full strength" eleven from the start, no harm in giving Paul or Bruno a half off every now and then.

 

[Rolaholic]

 

[MikeKing]

We saw today what squad depth means: 1-1, need a win, and we can put Pogba on, not Pereira. Perhaps not fit for entire match (yet), he was brilliant for 30 minutes and got a vital assist. Excellent

He has also been terrible lately. It's good to not have the need of playing underperforming players.

 

[sammsky1]

Did what a super sub should do.

Good for him as that's his new level.

 

[charlenefan]

I want him starting left of the front 3/4 on Sunday

 

[Harry190]

Played for 15 minutes, looked like he had been running for 95 mins. His physical condition is worrying. That Corona

 

[Shark]

He needs to start further up the pitch or not at all unless we're playing cannon fodder at home.

 

[Member 109952]

1. Play him as an AM or a forward left midfielder with Fred and Mctominay and he shines. Said it a million times but just because he's big, he's not a box to box. He's an AM

2. He was dreadful at the start of the season, but at the same time he looked really unfit. I think people underestimate just how necessary a pre-season is

 

[united_99]

He looked good today and against Newcastle. That’s the way forward, he comes on as a sub and works hard to earn himself a start (and realises he won’t start automatically anymore).

 

[VeevaVee]

He definitely had an impact. Still looked a bit sluggish at times but can’t complain too much. The problem is him looking decent for a full game.

 

[FootyGirl88]

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

His new haircut is fantastic, reminds me of his Juve days.

 

[RedTiger]

1. Play him as an AM or a forward left midfielder with Fred and Mctominay and he shines. Said it a million times but just because he's big, he's not a box to box. He's an AM

2. He was dreadful at the start of the season, but at the same time he looked really unfit. I think people underestimate just how necessary a pre-season is

Don't forget he had covid last month as well.

 

[westmeath]

Played well tonight. Mature stuff. Hasn’t won his place back but a good bench option for now.

 

[A-man]

We saw today what squad depth means: 1-1, need a win, and we can put Pogba on, not Pereira. Perhaps not fit for entire match (yet), he was brilliant for 30 minutes and got a vital assist. Excellent

Exactly my thought. To have both Pogba and van de Beek on the bench is somehow more satisfying than Pereira and Jesse.

 

[Adam_S]

This could be a bit of a watershed season for Pogba, I feel. For the first time in goodness knows how long, United have actual quality options in centre midfield and can afford to bench or drop him entirely and not suffer too much for it. If Pogba can be arsed then he's a valuable member of the team but if he can't, Ole can drop him and the team just keeps ticking along.

I think it'll be interesting to see how he responds to this. Will he step up, or will he sulk and agitate for a transfer to Real?

 

[shahzy]

He has also been terrible lately. It's good to not have the need of playing underperforming players.

That's what squad depth is all about. Have a big pool of quality players that can be called upon, whoever is playing the best should be playing. Makes the people who arent getting picked try harder and want to get in the team and stay in the team. Look at De Gea, he knows he's got Henderson breathing down his neck and he pulls out De Gea saves tonight right from 2016

 

[WR10]

We saw today what squad depth means: 1-1, need a win, and we can put Pogba on, not Pereira. Perhaps not fit for entire match (yet), he was brilliant for 30 minutes and got a vital assist. Excellent

This.

 

[Reapersoul20]

His new haircut is fantastic, reminds me of his Juve days.

I don't think he is a natural blonde though.

 

[ThemanGiggsy]

I would still like to see McT/Fred behind DVB and Pogba with Bruno at the diamond to start a game. I just think it could be lethal.

 

[lawliet354]

Played well, added more guile to the attack and showed his experience in seeing the game out. Ole used him off the left in the 4-2-3-1 in the way Zidane was used for Real Madrid under Capello.

Agree with this, looks like Zidane's position shoud be his main position. He just cannot be trusted to hold the ball or to fight for the ball in midfield, but playing a lot forward like zidane will suit him a lot more.

 

[bosnian_red]

Yeah very good impact from the bench again. Thing that's obvious though is that he's just so much better in a more advanced position where he can have his touches on the ball, play off the cuff and instinctively look to create, be a threat around the box with his quick feet. It's a waste of time so deep and sure he has a good passing range and can play the occasional great ball, but it's just not a good balance if he's that deep. Hard to find the right system for him, but certainly a diamond with him in a 3, Bruno as the tip of the diamond but you have a couple players behind Pogba more disciplined defensively will let him do his thing far better. Need the wing backs (which we now have with Telles) to make it happen of course. And can only play 2 strikers (Martial and Rashford), but it's probably the best option for him. As a 4-2-3-1, he just shouldn't be as part of the 2. Doesn't work for any balance.

 

[sp_107]

Yeah very good impact from the bench again. Thing that's obvious though is that he's just so much better in a more advanced position where he can have his touches on the ball, play off the cuff and instinctively look to create, be a threat around the box with his quick feet. It's a waste of time so deep and sure he has a good passing range and can play the occasional great ball, but it's just not a good balance if he's that deep. Hard to find the right system for him, but certainly a diamond with him in a 3, Bruno as the tip of the diamond but you have a couple players behind Pogba more disciplined defensively will let him do his thing far better. Need the wing backs (which we now have with Telles) to make it happen of course. And can only play 2 strikers (Martial and Rashford), but it's probably the best option for him. As a 4-2-3-1, he just shouldn't be as part of the 2. Doesn't work for any balance.

Means can we play the following ?

------------Pogba--------------

------Bruno-------Fred/SMT----------

 

[bosnian_red]

Means can we play the following ?

------------Pogba--------------

------Bruno-------Fred/SMT----------

No, Bruno as the deeper guy isn't the answer either. He's also a final third player. Both together will only work properly in a diamond. Possibly a 3-5-2 where you have that added security (but the DM would need to really be a perfect fit), or a 4-2-3-1 where Pogba and Bruno are both part of the 3 behind the striker. As a 4-3-3 or normal 4-2-3-1 with Pogba and Bruno both part of the midfield 3, it just isn't balanced and can't be balanced. I think Ole is starting to realize that.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

His new haircut is fantastic, reminds me of his Juve days.

Not even close.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

Very strange isn't it, putting a natural attacking player in higher position attacking roles resulting in a more natural and better performance...

So strange.

 

[spaceboyRSA]

I don't think he is a natural blonde though.

I wonder if the carpets match the drapes

 

[Twingatz]

Are people acting like there aren't long lasting effects of COVID-19? That people will be just fine? Just because you don't die from it doesn't mean that you will be perfectly fine afterwards.

 

[Kostov]

Let's find a way to play him from the start shall we? I want both Bruno and Pogba.

 

[Skills]

Let's find a way to play him from the start shall we? I want both Bruno and Pogba.

It works with Fred. Just don't ever pair them with McTominay and only pair them with Matic sparingly.

 

[Jeppers7]

Top man

 

[Jinn]

Pogba is a 25 minute player, rest of the time he can't be bothered.
Good cameo from him yesterday, but I'm still not convinced.
He needs to put in consistent, quality performances through out a full season to convince me that he should be a starting midfielder for us.

 

[Hammondo]

You realize he assisted the winner?

Once the opponent was tired and it's far easier. He can't handle being pressed or playing fast football. Nevermind his lack of anything that's not attacking football.

 

[Oldyella]

Very strange isn't it, putting a natural attacking player in higher position attacking roles resulting in a more natural and better performance...

So strange.

Also being dropped might do him some good, realising hes not an automatic pick might put more pressure on him to perform.

Are people acting like there aren't long lasting effects of COVID-19? That people will be just fine? Just because you don't die from it doesn't mean that you will be perfectly fine afterwards.

Still doesn't look fit to me tbh, looks laboured at times even in sub appearances. We know covid has affected people in differing levels, maybe its hit him harder than hoped.

 

[The Original]

Once the opponent was tired and it's far easier. He can't handle being pressed or playing fast football. Nevermind his lack of anything that's not attacking football.

That's a tangent. The original point that when he is off the team wins, is false. That's all.

 

[Hammondo]

That's a tangent. The original point that when he is off the team wins, is false. That's all.

The only times hes off is when things are much easier than normal.