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If the idea of England playing Iceland in Albania is the most unexpected story of the international hiatus, then a story that questions the emerging future of Paul Pogba in France is the most predictable.
It’s comforting to know that there are still a few things you can set your watch for in this most unpredictable of years and as soon as Pogba leaves the confines of Manchester to link up with France, the debate about his future is usually open again.
Often it is Pogba himself who fuels the stories, as it was in October when his flirtation with Real Madrid resumed, but this time it is national coach Didier Deschamps.
The Les Bleus manager told French media on Monday that Pogba “cannot be happy” with his playing time or his position at Manchester United, and has fired the starting gun in another two weeks of speculation about what will lead to him. the future holds for the world champion.
By now, most United fans are tired of this saga and would be happy to fire Pogba from Real Madrid for a good fee. The 27-year-old expressed his desire for a new challenge in the summer of 2019 and little seems to have changed since then.
“Paul, I know him well and he knows the group well. He’s in a situation with his club where he can’t be happy, neither with his playing time, nor with his positioning, ”said Deschamps.
“He is not in his prime, he has had a series of injuries and the Covid-19 that has hit him quite hard. You need to find your rhythm.
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“The game he had to play last month was good and consistent despite the lack of pace. However, we cannot say that he is satisfied with what he does at his club.
“For me, there is no such concern, but I try to handle it as well. When a player feels uncomfortable at his club, he is obviously happy to play for the France team. He will tell me about his feelings and since I know him very well, he will go in a positive direction. Even if it is also up to him to make all his efforts. “
Given Pogba wanted to leave United when he played regularly, it should come as no surprise that he isn’t exactly in love with the idea of being an impact substitute at a club that he doesn’t think can give him the challenge he needs anyway.
Since the last international break, Pogba has started just two of United’s seven games and has started only five of 12 games so far this season.
But more than his lack of playing time, it was Deschamps questioning Pogba’s position at United that really hinted at his biggest problem.
Since returning from injury in June, Pogba has tended to start matches in a deep midfield role, often alongside Nemanja Matic, but that duo have looked too open this season and Pogba’s only starts in the past month. have been when Solskjaer has used a diamond midfield. A tactic that could well have been abandoned with the loss to Arsenal.
United entered the international hiatus by winning what was arguably their biggest game of the season at Everton on Saturday.
The Reds under pressure came from behind to beat the Toffees thanks to Bruno Fernandes’ double and Edinson Cavani’s first goal for United.
United are on a two-week hiatus and many of their stars are headed for international service; We will keep track of how everyone is doing and preparations for their next Premier League match against West Brom.
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Pogba’s best performances for United have come when he has played in a more advanced role and his coach’s comments internationally suggest that is where he sees himself playing.
Unfortunately, his chances of playing there for United are slim at the moment. Bruno Fernandes has embraced the only advanced midfielder role in the Solskjaer system since signing in January and his numbers far exceed anything Pogba has been able to offer United.
That is why he is now restricted to the role of impact substitute and that could be how the rest of his United career unfolds. Pogba managed just eight minutes in the win over Everton on Saturday, although he was decisive off the bench against Newcastle and Paris Saint-Germain in mid-October.
With his days as a midfield presenter over and his chances of displacing Fernandes as likely as telling French television he wants to stay at Old Trafford, a solution to his lack of playing time is unlikely anytime soon.
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