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Probably for the first time this season, Paul Pogba has given Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a headache he doesn’t mind facing.
The French midfielder capped off a fine performance against Burnley on Tuesday with a sumptuous winner for Manchester United to take them to the top of the Premier League for the first time since the 2012-13 season.
It continued what appears to be a remarkable resurgence on the part of the 27-year-old following comments from his agent Mino Raiola that his time at Old Trafford will be over at the end of the season.
Paul Pogba netted the Manchester United winner at Burnley to take them to the top of the league
His sweet goal capped another great display as he returned to form under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
His resurgence came after agent Mino Raiola claimed his time at the club was over
Yet whether that claim still holds true or not, Pogba’s main goal will now be the club’s biggest game of the season yet, when he takes on the team he just replaced at the top of the list. against Liverpool, his rival, Sunday.
But despite his recent excellent results – and those of the club for that matter – will Solskjaer think twice before choosing to switch tactics and add solidity rather than flair in the face of the side’s offensive threat? from Anfield?
The squad the Norwegian threw in the 1-0 win at Burnley was designed for purpose, to fight against the physical game plan used by the hosts. It was a great United team. Eric Bailly was at the back, Pogba and Nemanja Matic were in the middle, and Edinson Cavani received a leading start.
By the same merit, the Norwegian will have to ring other changes to help United counter the pace of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane and the magic of Thiago Alcantara in the middle.
But the best way to do it is not so immediate.
Next for United are Mohamed Salah and Liverpool whom they usurped at the top
Solskjaer recently played Pogba and Matic together but could try to add more solidity
Scott McTominay – full of confidence after being captain and securing the FA Cup third round victory over Watford – and Fred could bring more energy to the midfielder, and it’s likely to be more, rather than ‘instead of Pogba.
But that would in all likelihood return Solskjaer to the diamond formation which had mixed success throughout 2020, especially when the pressure was on the Norwegian boss.
The system worked very well against RB Leipzig in the Champions League with a 5-0 beating, United showing signs of stability at the back while appearing to be able to score with most attacks.
But they were tasteless and uninspired days later in the home loss to Arsenal, while a 1-1 draw at Everton last season was also another frustrating display which saw the faithful raising concerns about the diamond formation.
Against the German side, Matic occupied the base of the midfield well, which Fred was unable to do in the same direction against the Gunners who started on the right of the diamond against the men of Julian Nagelsmann.
Bruno Fernandes would start as the most advanced midfielder if he came back to a diamond
Pogba would fit in on the left but, like United, had mixed fortunes playing there in 2020
Pogba himself was positioned on the left side of the Diamond and Bruno Fernandes, as he did against the Gunners, will start as the most advanced midfielder at Anfield after becoming the pivot of United’s turnaround with 15 goals and nine assists already this season.
If Solskjaer returns to Diamond, the roles of Pogba and Fernandes are less likely to change, but it’s who walks them to the side and behind them that will be of most concern given how well they’ve used the system over the past calendar year. .
McTominay started on the right side of the Diamond in both Premier League games but was counterproductive by stifling Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s attacking threat, which is especially critical given the absence of a broad striker right in training.
Fred seemed a little more comfortable in this role with Matic at the base, but the Brazilian was perhaps even more convincing as one of the two midfielders with the Serbian at Anfield last year.
He assisted against RB Leipzig but fouled Hector Bellerin in an abject display against Arsenal
Fred could add solidity and perform ‘top’ at Anfield last year, boss says
Solskjaer called Fred’s performance “top” in the 2-0 defeat in January last year after being deployed to center in a 3-4-1-2 lineup.
Moreover, the question of whether the former United striker would really be able to make the most of Pogba in a diamond is also questionable and may well interrupt the momentum he has built in recent weeks.
He recorded an assist by playing a diamond left against Leipzig, but was the player to foul Hector Bellerin for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s penalty in a more abject display against Arsenal.
There are signs, however, that the Premier League audience may well see the best version of Pogba for around 18 months in the coming weeks, having featured more recently with two other midfielders, especially since the comments of the Raiola bombing on December 8 of last year.
A constant period of fitness has helped his cause and has seen him complete 90 minutes on five occasions since the comments, and dominant performances like those United fans had come to expect following his £ 89million transfer from Juventus in 2016 were evident against Aston. Villa and Burnley.
Scott McTominay (left) was ineffective on the right and suffocated Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Such domination by the World Cup winner could see Solskjaer favor offensive flair over defensive solidity if he thinks the cruelty of Pogba and Fernandes will be too much for Liverpool to handle, particularly if Fabinho is forced to fall back into the game. defense.
United haven’t won any of their games against the so-called ‘Big Six’ this season, and excusing the exceptional circumstances of Anthony Martial’s red card against Tottenham, they lacked dynamism and energy against the others and failed to score against Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City.
With arguably the toughest team they will face this season on Sunday, Solskjaer’s options ultimately boil down to whether a return to diamond lineup will hurt their chances of winning considerably more than the 4-3-3 lineup. which has been doing wonders lately. weeks.
But Solskjaer will know Pogba’s attacking flair could hurt Liverpool’s title ambitions
The safest option to counter Liverpool in the best possible way would be to position Matic at the base of the diamond, with Fred and Pogba left and right and Fernandes playing the role of attacking midfielder.
It might be difficult to resist that temptation as it is United who now have the advantage of being at the top of the table, and a draw would preserve that three-point lead and make a slight dent in aspirations. of Liverpool to retain their crown.
Still, if the United stars are to replicate the achievements of their ancestors in fulfilling Sir Alex Ferguson’s promise to knock Liverpool off their perch this time around, the usual three-midfield option could inflict a defeat that will increase the United’s fan base belief. title since 2013 and a first trophy for four years.
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