When asked about how his Man United playing style differs from the one he played at Juventus or he does for France, Paul Pogba told L’Equipe: “It’s true that at Juve it was different from Manchester United.
“We were already playing with three midfielders [at Juve], in 5-3-2. I had the freedom, I had to be in the box, to attack. It was an obligation. In Manchester, I have the freedom to go into the box, but the priority is to play and defend.
“[At France] We play in 4-2-3-1, also a diamond. I am a little more in the transmission, in the construction. But I have more freedom than in Manchester to enter the box, to make runs forwards.
“At the same time, when you have (Antoine) Griezmann, Kylian (Mbappe), you don’t want to enter their spaces, you don’t need to.”
Since Bruno Fernandes’ arrival, Pogba has been forced to play in either a midfield pivot role or as a makeshift left-winger. It was in the latter role that he’s been given more freedom to attack – while the Frenchman often has to help protect his backline when playing in a central midfield role.
Pogba has entered into the last year of his contract at United and is currently discussing a contract extension with the Red Devils. If unable to come to an agreement for a new deal, he could be sold in the summer or leave for free next year.
