Midfielders in Europe (19/20) who averaged at least 8.0 passes into the final third and 1.5 passes into the box per 90:

1 – Marco Verratti (9.82 + 2.61)
2 – Paul Pogba (8.81 + 2.01)
3 – Joshua Kimmich (8.05 + 2.04)
4 – Fabián Ruiz (8.05 + 1.81)

A Fantastic Four.
This is one of the problems with leaving Paul out. Yes, his defensive contribution needs to improve. However, when he's not in the team you're left with midfielders who struggle to progress the ball let alone progress it to Paul's extent.
The result? You end up facilitating a non-possession-based style centred on preventing the opposition as opposed to promoting your on-ball strengths. We have seen that in three games now though Newcastle did make it easier for us in some ways.
Paul was definitely unfit at the beginning of the season. His [lack of] defensive intensity is quite exaggerated by some especially since they compare him to Fred and McTominay. Once he is fit he will start — I'm confident about that — as he is too valuable to leave out.
If Solskjær wants greater intensity in midfield as well as ball progression then he starts both Fred and Pogba in a pivot. Ideally, we would've bought Partey so Pogba can play on the left but it's fine as it is.

In any case, leaving Pogba on the bench isn't a solution.
You can follow @utdarena.
Tip: mention @twtextapp on a Twitter thread with the keyword “unroll” to get a link to it.

Latest Threads Unrolled: