Four years since signing, Pogba’s role at Manchester United remains unclear

Four years since changing into the world’s costliest participant, Paul Pogba stays no nearer to fulfilling his promise at Manchester United, with many nonetheless questioning if he even deserves a spot within the beginning XI. Having spent three years as a younger participant at United earlier than leaving for Juventus in 2012, Pogba returned to Old Trafford for a then world-record price of 89.three million kilos in 2016, to a lot fanfare.

With the membership struggling to duplicate their former glories within the aftermath of Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, Pogba returning to “my house” because the midfielder referred to as it, was seen by many as a turning level in United’s fortunes.

But after greater than 150 appearances in all competitions, Pogba stays a polarising determine amongst followers, along with his position within the present setup below Ole Gunnar Solskjaer unclear.

“Since coming back from injury he has been a delight,” Solskjaer instructed reporters in August. “He is happy and he is playing well.

“We are going to see the best of Paul in the next couple of seasons, I’m sure.”

But since then, Solskjaer has struggled to suit Pogba in.

The arrival of Bruno Fernandes in January has had a galvanising impact on United, with no participant concerned in additional Premier League objectives — objectives scored and assisted mixed — within the interval since he joined.

Pogba and Fernandes have performed collectively, with the pair linking up effectively as United completed final season strongly, however Solskjaer has left Pogba out of United’s final three video games because the Norwegian has taken a extra conservative method.

And coupled with combine summer time signing Donny van de Beek into the United midfield, Pogba’s position in Solskjaer’s plans seems nonetheless unsure, even when some analysts stay extra optimistic.

“I don’t give up hope Nemanja Matic, Pogba, Fernandes can’t play together in that midfield three, and there’s going to come a point whereby the burden of having Paul Pogba on your shoulder is going to shine brightly on Ole,” former United defender Gary Neville instructed Sky Sports.

“At Christmas time, if they can’t play together, if the results don’t improve with them (Fernandes and Pogba) both in the team though, then fair enough.”