Paul Pogba sends message to Jose Mourinho: This is where I would rather play at Man United

Posted Wednesday, October 12, 2016 by Express.co.uk

Paul Pogba sends message to Jose Mourinho: This is where I would rather play at Man United
Paul Pogba admits he would rather play in an attacking midfield role at Manchester United

PAUL POGBA has told Jose Mourinho he would rather play in an attacking midfield role for Manchester United.

But the France international insists he will strive to adapt to whichever position the United boss feels is best for him.

Pogba has made a slow start to his second stint at Old Trafford having arrived from Juventus for a world-record fee of £89m in August, four years after leaving for Turin.

He has tended to feature as one of two holding midfielders in the 4-2-3-1 set-up Mourinho prefers, but has scored just once in eight matches for United this season and struggled to impose himself.

The 23-year-old thrived at Juventus in a 4-3-3 formation, initially with playmaker Andrea Pirlo sitting deep, giving both Pogba and Arturo Vidal a licence to get forward.

Last season, the Frenchman helped Juve to a fifth successive title as he and Sami Khedira took the attacking midfield positions, with Claudio Marchisio fulfilling the holding role following Pirlo's departure for New York City FC.

However, the new arrival is being asked to sit back more at United, a move that does not play to his attacking strengths, and which has raised questions about his tactical flexibility.

Pogba said: "I try to adapt. I am a player who would rather go forward. The coach gave me instructions. I try to follow them. I have to retrieve balls and make defensive efforts."

He struggled in a similar manner during Euro 2016 when France coach Didier Deschamps switched from 4-3-3 part-way through the tournament to a 4-2-3-1 formation in order to accommodate Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann in his preferred No10 role.

That left Pogba to play in a deeper position alongside Blaise Matuidi, a job with which neither player felt comfortable.

However, there were signs of the set-up working on Monday as Pogba got forward to hit the 30-yard dipping shot that gave France a 1-0 win in Holland in a World Cup qualifier.

The midfielder's overall performance in Amsterdam also impressed, as Deschamps' side maintained their strong start in Group A, in which they share top spot with Sweden.

He added: "It cost me a bit to play differently, much like Pirlo. I have to play, be there to recover and play more for the team."

Pogba's display on Monday is encouraging news for United as they prepare to return to Premier League action at Liverpool on Monday.

Mourinho's side are sixth after a mixed start to the campaign, with defeats by leaders Manchester City and Watford, as well as a home draw against Stoke, leaving them five points off the title pace going into the weekend.

An improvement in Pogba's club displays would help United's attempt to climb the table, and his France team-mate Hugo Lloris believes that will happen sooner rather than later.

Tottenham goalkeeper Lloris has warned the rest of the Premier League that there will be much better to come from the midfielder over the next few months.

He said: "Paul is very involved in the France team and again he really showed his quality this week.

"There is so much expectation surrounding him because of the price tag but if he keeps working hard, he will reach the level he wants to at Manchester United.

"Being the matchwinner with that goal for his country won't do his confidence any harm at all when he goes back, and for the games to come.

"And he put in a great performance for France in front of the defence alongside Blaise Matuidi. They both looked so strong. It was the perfect response to some of the comments about his club form this season.

"He is a warrior in his mind - even if he looks relaxed most of the time.

"He is of course very talented, but in football that on its own is not enough - he is also very strong mentally, and very ambitious. He will improve step by step."