Paul Pogba proves he was right from the start as Man Utd’s future finally becomes clear

Paul Pogba’s career at Manchester United has been riddled with inconsistencies.

The France World Cup winner has been moved around in several midfield roles and struggled to nail his place in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s premier squad.

The arrival of Bruno Fernandes while Pogba was sidelined in early 2020 posed a new challenge.

It has been reported that Pogba “hated” the deeper role he was initially deployed to when Fernandes arrived.

He disagreed with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer about his position in the side and his performances reflected his frustrations.

Pogba has never hidden his favorite role.

“I would say midfielder on the left [is my best position]”He told Sky Sports in 2016 when he joined the Red Devils.

“If you play a three, I can play right or left, but I feel more comfortable playing to my left.

“I can do it [holding midfielder], but I feel more comfortable a little higher.

Pogba has finally been cleared for that favored role in recent weeks, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer pulling him out wide against Manchester City last month.

“It was a 4-2-3-1 and going into that pocket is probably Paul’s favorite position,” the Norwegian said after the game.

Pogba was once again deployed in his chosen position against Aston Villa on New Years Day – and he showed he was right from the start by putting in one of his finest individual displays in recent memory .

Pogba’s best attributes were in full view as he started the movement that led to Anthony Martial’s opener and won the penalty kick that saw Bruno Fernandes score the winner.

After the game Solskjaer said: “Now Paul is getting fitter and stronger, you get performances like tonight. I think it maybe took 25 minutes to get started, but when it started it made a difference for us.

“We’re happy with his contribution. I think it’s important that Paul is on the ball, whether it’s low on the pitch or higher between the lines, I think that made a difference.

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“I know he started the wide defense but we wanted him to race behind them, to take the ball. His physical presence is important to us.

“We knew they were one of the strongest physical teams in the league and we needed players to match them. He won the lead for us and tonight I was delighted with his performance.”

While Manchester United look much more solid with a midfield base involving Fred and Scott McTominay, and Bruno Fernandes as the creative spark, Pogba’s future has become clear.

His role on the left also leaves more freedom for the left-back, be it Luke Shaw or Alex Telles, to move forward, as Solskjaer recently pointed out.

He said: “Against Leicester Paul came on the left and I think that changed the dynamic a bit and that pushed Luke further and he had to go more then because if you don’t have a wide man in front you then it’s the back side’s responsibility.

Pogba’s career at Manchester United has been a roller coaster ride, but the pieces could now fall into place under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s title charge.

And if he continues to be deployed in his preferred position, he could have a huge role to play for the remainder of the season despite lingering questions about his long-term future.

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