During lockdown, all the talk was of how Manchester United pair Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes would click together. But that speculation looks foolish now because the answer is: easily. The pair have been in stunning form so far since the restart and the signs of a promising partnership for years to come are there – if they can keep hold of Pogba, that is.
For years, now, Pogba’s best position at Manchester United has been the source of much debate.
They trialled him in a flat midfield role under Jose Mourinho, while the Portuguese also used him on the left of a three-man midfield. Ultimately, the Tottenham boss was never sold and realised that, rather than cracking the code, he’d abandon the job completely.
By the end of Mourinho’s reign Pogba was a peripheral figure, starting on the bench for the chastening 3-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield in December 2018.
Had he remained in charge, he’d have likely sold the 27-year-old. They didn’t get on and their relationship was irreparable before a parting of the ways happened.
Solskjaer initially got the best out of Pogba last season before the Frenchman faded.
But, now, the Norwegian appears to have solved the big problem that Mourinho couldn’t. Pogba has a smile on his face again and has struck up an immediate rapport with Fernandes on the pitch.
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Against Sheffield United, Pogba passed to Fernandes 11 times with the Portugal international returning the favour on six occasions.
In the 3-0 win over Brighton, Fernandes got the ball from the France international nine times – and gave it back six.
And, in the 5-2 drubbing of Bournemouth last Saturday, Fernandes and Pogba exchanged a total of 14 passes between them.
In those three matches it’s Pogba who has linked up with Fernandes more than any other player with a total of 46 combined passes. Nemanja Matic is a close second on 43.
And with the duo in such sync, few would bet against United going on to achieve their goals under Solskjaer this season.
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Rio Ferdinand has been delighted with the duo’s form and recently said: “Pogba has been a totally different player since the restart. The energy levels in his game, it’s the Pogba United paid £89m for four years ago.
“A big factor is undoubtedly the man he is playing with in the centre of midfield – Bruno Fernandes.
“Pogba will not want to be shown up out there and that’s perhaps the motivation he needed. Solskjaer will be absolutely loving what’s he seeing from those two.
“Fernandes is just doing what comes naturally to him and it’s been a huge boost to Pogba’s form – it’s freed him up to play as well.
“There’s probably less pressure on him now because he knows that some of the burden of expectation is being shouldered by Fernandes.”
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