Jose Mourinho needs to play Paul Pogba further up the pitch, insists Manchester United legend Ryan Giggs

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Jose Mourinho should deploy Paul Pogba further up the pitch when he returns to Manchester United’s starting XI against Newcastle this weekend – according to club legend Ryan Giggs.

Pogba was left on the subs bench for the club’s recent 2-0 win over Huddersfield, after failing to impress in the defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur a few days before.

He is expected to return to the fray for the trip to Newcastle, but Giggs has urged Mourinho to play the Frenchman further forward rather than in defensive midfield.

“One of the best games Pogba had was the Everton game, when he was on the left of Matic - in a similar position to the one he played at Juventus - and Ander Herrera was on the right,” Giggs told Sky Sports.

“I think that position where he’s on the left of a midfield three is where he’s at his best. He’s a brilliant crosser of the ball and I don’t think he’s as effective when he’s having to do more defensive work in central areas.

“I’d like to see him in a 4-3-3 with Matic sitting, Herrera to the right and Pogba to the left, with a selection of the front three thriving off more creativity behind them.

“United’s attacking players are, without a shadow of a doubt, capable of winning the Premier League next season. They’ve got pace, guile, goals, experience and make up a really top forward line.”

United sit 13-points behind bitter rivals City in the Premier League, but Giggs believes that Mourinho’s side are just as dangerous going forward.

“I’d say the forward line is as good as Manchester City’s,” said Giggs. “But the difference is the way of playing, with Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva behind consistently finding the front three for City.

“United have Pogba, who could potentially be as good as them, but then Matic is more defensive, so it’s just that creative area where City have got the upper hand.”