Jamie Carragher has claimed that Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes do not work as a midfield duo.
The Frenchman was left on the bench for Manchester United’s trip to PSG, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opting for a double pivot in Scott McTominay and Fred, with Bruno sitting just in-front.
The Red Devils benefited from this set-up, frustrating the French side by cutting out the space for their frontmen to play into, sitting deep and operating rather resiliently.
Jamie Carragher praised Solskjaer’s decision to leave Pogba on the bench on Monday Night Football, claiming (h/t Daily Mail): “I actually admire Solskjaer for putting Pogba on the bench. I said a few weeks ago after the Crystal Palace game, Fernandes and Pogba is not a midfield that can play together and never will be.
“Van de Beek, I don’t understand the signing, I really don’t get it, how he was ever going to play or where he’s going to fit in. As soon as he signed I thought he plays number ten, Fernandes plays there, Pogba can play there.”
The three aforementioned players are yet to start in the same XI, as the trio all possess an attacking mentality. Although Pogba can sit deep and dictate, he is not identified in being a robust holding midfielder.
Carragher continued to say: “It’s actually better for the team having Fred and McTominay in there. But having Fred and McTominay is not good enough for Manchester United to win the league either.
“The problem for me is Paul Pogba, I’ve said it for a long time. I’m with Gary (Neville), Fernandes is the man for that number ten position but I don’t know how Ole can not pick a £90m signing in Pogba, it’s difficult for a manager, so at some stage he will get back into the team.”
It does remain a selection dilemma, but making a huge deal of the situation just five days into the new season does appear premature. United have not possessed depth in quality for some time, and have four separate competitions to compete in this campaign.
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