Jose Mourinho has been urged to set Paul Pogba free this weekend when Manchester United’s record £89million signing is restored to their starting line-up.
Pogba was benched by Mourinho for United’s 2-0 win over Huddersfield, following his poor performance in midweek away to Tottenham as they defeated Mourinho's men, also 2-0.
The France international is set to be recalled for Sunday’s trip to Newcastle, although Mourinho still faces the dilemma of how to ensure he gets the very best out of Pogba.
And emerging young United midfielder Scott McTominay, who has impressed former boss Sir Alex Ferguson, could ultimately hold the key to Mourinho getting the very best out of Pogba.
McTominay, 21, has impressed in his 12 appearances this season and was collared by former boss Ferguson during Tuesday’s ceremony to mark the 60th anniversary of the Munich air disaster, which claimed the lives of eight United players.
Ferguson appeared to be offering McTominay some words of encouragement and gestured towards the youngster when speaking with Mourinho moments later, seemingly endorsing the youngster’s value to the first-team.
With Ander Herrera currently struggling for a start under Mourinho, McTominay could well provide the solution to getting the best out of Pogba, by playing deep alongside Nemanja Matic and allowing the Frenchman to push forward where he is more comfortable.
Against Spurs, Pogba was deployed alongside Matic in a more defensive role in which he struggled and was substituted with just over an hour gone at Wembley.
United legend and newly-appointed Wales boss Ryan Giggs believes Pogba is at his best when he is absolved of defensive duties and allowed to express his natural attacking instincts.
With Mourinho preferring to play with two holding midfielders, that could see Jesse Lingard make way to allow Pogba to operate in a more advanced role.
“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.”
PREMIER LEAGUE ASSISTS 2017-18
| Name (Club) | Assists | Games Per Assist |
| Paul Pogba (Man United) | 9 | 0.56 |
| Henrikh Mkhitaryan (Man U/Arsenal) | 8 | 0.47 |
| Leroy Sane (Man City) | 10 | 0.45 |
| Kevin de Bruyne (Man City) | 11 | 0.42 |
| David Silva (Man City) | 8 | 9.38 |
Although United currently trail runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City by 13 points, Giggs reckons they are just as impressive going forward as Pep Guardiola’s side.
“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.”
The stats support Pogba being at his best in a more attacking role, with the midfielder boasting the best ratio of assists per game – 0.56 – in the Premier League this season, a better rate than all of Manchester City trio Leroy Sane, Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva.