Paul Pogba to be Man Utd’s new No10 as Solskjaer plots attacking role ahead of playmaker Bruno Fernandes
PAUL POGBA is being primed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to become his perfect No10.
The Frenchman figured just behind the central striker during last Saturday’s intra-squad practice match at Old Trafford.
While he is understood to have been blowing hard after his first match at any level since December he produced an impressive performance.
That role, playing as a No10, suggests Solskjaer is planning to deliver what he has always promised.
And that is making Pogba and Bruno Fernandes the central figures of a new-look line up.
Fernandes - a £67million arrival from Sporting Lisbon in January - first looked to mark the beginning of the end of Pogba’s troubled second stay at Old Trafford.
Fernandes’ instant success only added to the feeling that the French World Cup winner would be ditched this summer.
Yet despite speculation linking him to a return to Juventus or Real Madrid boss Solskjaer constantly insisted that he wanted not only to keep Pogba but make him the Portuguese star’s partner.
After United’s last competitive game – the 5-0 Europa League hammering of LASK in March the Norwegian declared he expected him to be around for quite some time to come.
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Solskjaer said: “Paul is our player and has got two years left on his contract.
"There is also the option of another year so you can expect Paul to be here.”
Pogba made only eight appearances before lockdown due to months of ankle injury problems.
But Solskjaer has often raved about the prospect of pairing him with Fernandes.
With United due to restart against Tottenham in ten days he may make that a reality.
The belief within Old Trafford is that Pogba would play at the top of a diamond midfield formation.
Fernandes would be used deeper as a No8 playmaker with Scott McTominay in a holding role in front of the defence.
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Meanwhile, United’s planned friendly with Stoke yesterday was called off shortly before kick-off.
The Championship club’s players arrived at Old Trafford from around 10am but Stoke cancelled the game.
Solskjaer then instantly arranged another intra-squad game at United’s Carrington training HQ.