[ad_1]
Bruno Fernandes insists that he and Paul Pogba can play together on the same team for Manchester United, even if he has to change positions to do so.
There was a lot of excitement about the prospect of a midfield partnership between Fernandes and Pogba when the Portugal international moved to Old Trafford in January.
Fernandes made a quick impact, but I had to wait until June to play alongside Pogba, due to a combination of injury to the Frenchman and blocking that stopped the season.
When they started bonding in the field, there were some promising signs. However, this season, there have been more questions than answers about United’s midfield balance.
Summer signing Donny van de Beek has been unable to start a Premier League match so far, while Pogba has also been benched in recent matches.
Pogba returned to the starting lineup for United’s win over RB Leipzig in the Champions League in the middle of the week, but only started one league game in October.
Fernandes, by contrast, continues to prove himself a key player for United in his first full season at the club. He has started all five of his Premier League games this season.
However, the 26-year-old believes his teammate Pogba may have an impact returning to the starting lineup, and denies claims that the Frenchman is angry.
“Paul wants to play, he wants to be in the first XI, that’s no different than any player, everyone wants to be in the first XI,” he said. Sky sports.
“Of course Paul is an incredible player who has done a lot of wonderful things in recent years. The way he came in against Paris Saint-Germain, against Newcastle, it was perfect for the team.
“Many people may think that Paul is angry at the bank and that he will not do anything when he enters because he is angry, but he arrives with the right motivation, as we saw with his attendance in Paris.
“He was there, he was fighting, holding the ball in the corner for us, he did a very good job. Some may think that he was angry because he wanted to play and that he wants to leave the club. Everyone knows the qualities that Paul has, he is doing very well.
“Being in the bank is a problem for everyone, but this problem is a motivation for Paul. He uses this as motivation and is helping the team a lot when he comes in and plays, as he did in the last Champions League game.
Sign up for the TEAMtalk daily newsletter …
Fernandes also believes that he is capable of playing alongside Pogba from the first minute of matches, shedding light on their relationship on and off the pitch.
“It’s always a pleasure to be on a team with him because I can learn a lot from him, and he can learn a lot from me,” he said. “Together we can do great things.
“We have a good relationship, of course. We both speak Italian, so most of the time we speak Italian. I have a good relationship with him on and off the field.
“He’s a funny guy, he always wants to joke. I already know him from Italy, but now I have the opportunity to be in a team with a World Cup winner ”.
Fernandes happy to adapt
Fernandes is also open to playing in different positions to accommodate Pogba, although they both favor the same offensive midfielder role.
Some experts have suggested that United should change their formation to fit both players in, and Fernandes says he’s willing to adapt to anything.
“There are many conversations about this situation and touching different formations where Bruno and Paul can play together,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if I play in the first XI or Paul plays in the first XI, if I play not. 10th Paul plays no. 10.
“As a player you want to play, for me the training doesn’t matter. The most important thing is to help the team, and if the coach thinks I have to play left, right, center, no. 8 or not. 10, I have no problem playing everywhere. I can adapt to everything.
“It is not a problem, I adapt very quickly to different positions or formations. It’s not a problem for me. Of course, not all players have the ability to be in a different place or play a different role.
Fernandes a team player
“Most of the time you don’t have to play the best you can in that position, you have to do the best you can for the team. Sometimes it’s not about you, it’s about the team and we have to be that way to win trophies.
“Of course we have a lot of formations, we play with three behind against PSG, then we play with a diamond and a forward three. This is modern football.
“Maybe a few years ago a team would have a formation and play with it all season. Now is the time to understand what is best for the game and what you can change for the game.
“Against Arsenal, the coach may think that it is better to play the same system or maybe we will go back to three or play with four behind.
“We have a lot of people looking at Arsenal and seeing what can be better for us as a team, how we can play better and how we can cause more problems for their team.”
READ MORE: Big ‘question mark’ on Manchester United man as Ole finds balance, says expert
[ad_2]
