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How United's midfield will take shape over the next few seasons: A thread
When football returns, we will have a fully fit squad at our disposal. I think we will either play a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-3 with the main 3 midfielders being Pogba, Bruno and Matic. Fred and Scott Mctominay will provide cover.
Paul Pogba:
The biggest questions when it comes to Pogba are will he stay and if so, how do we extract the best out of him? Personally I think he will sign a new contract and if that is the case, there are two ways we can use him.
The biggest questions when it comes to Pogba are will he stay and if so, how do we extract the best out of him? Personally I think he will sign a new contract and if that is the case, there are two ways we can use him.
In a 4-2-3-1, Pogba can play as a DLP in a pivot with Matic and Bruno can play more as a 10. Pogba has shown in the past he is an effective DLP, almost operating like a quarterback. However, I think the best way to use him is as an advanced 8 on the left of a 4-3-3.
This way, he is less restricted by defensive responsibility and can dedicate more time to creating and contributing to goals. Pogba has shown elite on-pitch understanding with both Martial and Rashford and operating on the left of a 3 would allow him to link with them more.
Matic:
At the start of the season, Matic looked past his best and his United career looked to be over. However, injuries to Mctominay and Pogba put him back into the starting XI and since then he has comfortably been one of United's best players.
At the start of the season, Matic looked past his best and his United career looked to be over. However, injuries to Mctominay and Pogba put him back into the starting XI and since then he has comfortably been one of United's best players.
Whichever formation we play, Matic will sit and protect the defence, focusing solely on winning the ball, recycling possession and getting attacks going. He has the discipline and ability to do this, which has been key to our recent defensive improvement.
Fernandes:
Bruno Fernandes has breathed new life into Manchester United with his energetic and creative style of play, as well as his elite mentality. Perhaps what is most impressive though is Bruno's intelligence, at times he looks reminiscent of Carrick and Scholes.
Bruno Fernandes has breathed new life into Manchester United with his energetic and creative style of play, as well as his elite mentality. Perhaps what is most impressive though is Bruno's intelligence, at times he looks reminiscent of Carrick and Scholes.
I think these qualities would allow Bruno to work well as a conductor in our midfield, keeping us ticking over. His workrate would help to free Pogba up further forward and he would provide another source of goals and creativity from midfield, which Pogba has been crying out for.
Fred:
Fred has come on miles this season. He has stepped up brilliantly and is quickly showing why we paid £52m for him. However, he does not fit into our best starting team but his energy and tenacity could be useful assets off the bench in tight, scrappy games.
Fred has come on miles this season. He has stepped up brilliantly and is quickly showing why we paid £52m for him. However, he does not fit into our best starting team but his energy and tenacity could be useful assets off the bench in tight, scrappy games.
Mctominay:
Scott Mctominay has continued his incredible trajectory this season, being one of the best duelling midfielders in the league. He also has added goals to his arsenal and seems to be a lot stronger, he is quickly developing into a very complete player.
Scott Mctominay has continued his incredible trajectory this season, being one of the best duelling midfielders in the league. He also has added goals to his arsenal and seems to be a lot stronger, he is quickly developing into a very complete player.
Mctominay, like Fred, will be a squad player for now but expect Mctominay to get more gametime as a 6 as he learns from Matic, who has been one of the best for a number of years now. He is also an effective box to box midfielder and will surely feature in some of our big games.
Juan Mata:
Mata is a squad player now but a very useful one to have. As he comes to the end of his career, Mata has lots of experience to pass onto younger players. A well-liked and respected member of the squad, expect Mata to become a player-coach for us in the next year or 2.
Mata is a squad player now but a very useful one to have. As he comes to the end of his career, Mata has lots of experience to pass onto younger players. A well-liked and respected member of the squad, expect Mata to become a player-coach for us in the next year or 2.
Pereira and Lingard:
Get rid of them both by any means necessary. No more needs to be said.
Get rid of them both by any means necessary. No more needs to be said.
James Garner:
James Garner is headed for the top. The Carrick comparisons aren't for no reason, Garner is a highly intelligent player with maturity beyond his years, having captained United and England at various youth levels. On top of all this, Garner has an eye for goal.
James Garner is headed for the top. The Carrick comparisons aren't for no reason, Garner is a highly intelligent player with maturity beyond his years, having captained United and England at various youth levels. On top of all this, Garner has an eye for goal.
Garner is one of the best of a talented crop of players coming out of the academy and looks like he will be one of the top deep-lying playmakers in world football in years to come. A loan would give him some more experience at this level as he is clearly too good for youth level.
Angel Gomes:
Having been with the academy from the age of 6, Gomes is United through and through. If his contract situation gets sorted, United have a potential world class attacking midfielder on their hands. Creative, technical and clever, expect to see more of Gomes.
Having been with the academy from the age of 6, Gomes is United through and through. If his contract situation gets sorted, United have a potential world class attacking midfielder on their hands. Creative, technical and clever, expect to see more of Gomes.
Dylan Levitt:
Levitt is a very clever passer and is very highly regarded, having already been called up to Wales' senior squad. Like Garner, he shows maturity beyond his years and his passes break lines like a knife through butter. Will be an important player in years to come.
Levitt is a very clever passer and is very highly regarded, having already been called up to Wales' senior squad. Like Garner, he shows maturity beyond his years and his passes break lines like a knife through butter. Will be an important player in years to come.
Arnau Puigmal:
Puigmal is quick-footed, a clever passer and is capable of playing anywhere in midfield, as well as at right back. United had to fight Barcelona for his services and he has excelled at youth level for us. Expect to see him in the squad more in the next few years.
Puigmal is quick-footed, a clever passer and is capable of playing anywhere in midfield, as well as at right back. United had to fight Barcelona for his services and he has excelled at youth level for us. Expect to see him in the squad more in the next few years.
Hannibal Mejbri:
One of the most hyped players in the academy right now, the 16 year old who arrived from Monaco this summer is a technical genius who has been likened to Pogba. His passing and creativity look good at 16 and it looks like he will outgrow youth football quickly.
One of the most hyped players in the academy right now, the 16 year old who arrived from Monaco this summer is a technical genius who has been likened to Pogba. His passing and creativity look good at 16 and it looks like he will outgrow youth football quickly.
End of thread
Likes and RT's appreciated
Likes and RT's appreciated
