Pogba can shine in deep role for Man Utd – Parlour

Mark Holmes
Paul Pogba: Can shine in deep midfield for Manchester United

Paul Pogba: Can shine in deep midfield for Manchester United

Jose Mourinho can get the best out of Paul Pogba at Manchester United even if he uses him as a deep midfielder, Ray Parlour believes.

Pogba finally completed his move back to Old Trafford from Juventus on Monday night for a world-record transfer fee, but there are questions over how best to fit the 23-year-old into Mourinho’s preferred 4-2-3-1 formation.

Pogba shone as part of a midfield three at Juve but was less effective when used as one of France’s two holding midfielders during Euro 2016 earlier in the summer.

Parlour, however, believes Pogba could be afforded more freedom in a similar system at United this season.

Speaking to our partner brand Planet Football, Parlour said: “It’s going to be interesting to see where he plays, because how do you get the best out of him?

“He was a little bit too deep for me when he played for France, especially in the final. I wanted to see him get forward more and get involved more attack-wise.

“I don’t know what system Mourinho will play, but even if he uses Pogba as a deeper midfielder he can give him a licence. He’s very mobile, he can get past players, and if Rooney plays at No.10, he can fill in at times if Pogba runs past.

“That might be the role he plays, but either way I’m looking forward to seeing him. He’s a very good player, there’s no doubt, and Mourinho will feel he can get the best out of him.

“He’s still a young lad, he’s still going to be learning, but he had his spell at Manchester United and he’s gone away, worked hard at his game and produced.

“There’s a big expectation on him with the biggest ever transfer fee, but I think he’s a pretty confident lad that can handle that.

“Manchester United now have got a very good team. They lacked goals last season, but they’ve got lots of options now and lots of goals in the team so they should go very close this year.”

Ray Parlour has gone head to head with poker star Chris Moorman in the 888poker Premier League predictions.