BRUNO FERNANDES and Paul Pogba could be Manchester United’s Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva, claims Gary Neville.
£89million midfielder Pogba has recently been dropped to the bench, with boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer so far failing to get the best out of the talented duo.
Sky’s pundits pondered how the Red Devils can get the best out of their star duoCredit: AFP or licensors
A line-up like this could please Gary Neville
While £39m summer signing Donny van de Beek has also failed to start a Premier League game.
When in the XI, Pogba, 27, has tended to feature in a holding midfield duo alongside Nemanja Matic – forcing the World Cup winner to stifle his attacking insicts.
But Neville, speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, wants his former team-mate to change his formation – in order to emulate Pep Guardiola’s most successful Manchester City side of two years ago.
And he reckons it could be the making of United’s attacking midfield talent.
Neville said: “I think it’s a problem when you have £150million worth of midfielders on the bench.
“You’ve got one player who has won the World Cup and been dominant in Europe.
“He’s Manchester United’s record signing and yet can’t get in the team.
“For me, I’ve never understood why Ole hasn’t tried one sitter with Pogba and Fernandes in front, like De Bruyne and David Silva.
“De Bruyne and Silva weren’t disciplined midfield players before Pep Guardiola arrived, he made them into that.
“So that’s the only system I can see where it would be obvious to get those two into position.
Jamie Carragher and Gary Neville offered differing views on what’s best for Man United’s midfieldCredit: Getty Images – Getty
David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne starred in front of Fernandinho at the EtihadCredit: AFP or Licensors
“Maybe Ole has seen it in training and didn’t like it.
“More often than not, Ole has played Matic and Pogba sitting alongside each other with Fernandes in front.
“Pogba can’t play there, in that position you do need to be disciplined. But with one holding player you do have more freedom to run forward.”
It’s better for the team having Fred and McTominay in there
Jamie Carragher
Neville’s fellow pundit Jamie Carragher, however, is unconvinced that the partnership can ever work.
He added: “It’s better for the team having Fred and McTominay in there.
“But a Fred and McTominay centre-midfield is not good enough for Manchester United to challenge for the Premier League.
“Fernandes is their man in the No10 position but I don’t know how Ole can continue not to pick a £90million signing.
“It’s not easy for the manager but at some stage he will get back into the team. But for me Pogba and Fernandes will never work.”
Manchester United are currently 15th in the Premier League table, having won only two of their opening five games.
Solskjaer slams ex-Man Utd stars for attacking Mason Greenwood
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
