ARJEN ROBBEN

Former Arsenal and Manchester United star Robin van Persie has said that the Red Devils should play Paul Pogba in the ideal position in order to get the best out of him. The Frenchman has been inconsistent with his performances for United over the past year and this has resulted from the fact that manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has regularly changed his role in the first XI.

Speaking to Optus Sport, Van Persie said that Solskjaer needs to set a permanent position for Pogba and the number 8 role suits him better than operating as the defensive midfielder, he told: “For him, the coach, for us, for everyone, it’s just important to choose a position. Choose where you think, and the coach thinks, he plays the best football for himself and for the team. I would play him not as a defensive midfielder, and not as a number 10 but in between — number eight position. So, he still has his freedom, he’s not judged then on 20-plus goals a season, if he scores 10-plus goals, makes assists, everyone will look differently at him then, but it needs to be clear for everyone.”

Pogba contributed a couple of assists during the 4-0 win over Chelsea on the opening day but he has since struggled with form and fitness concerns. He has recently made a comeback from an ankle problem but his performances have been far from convincing with no impact on the attacking point of view while he has been dispossessed on occasions in the centre of the park.

Manchester United recently played out a 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League at Old Trafford and that has propelled them to the 10th position with nine points. That has created some unwanted record as they have registered their worst-ever points tally in the Premier League era after seven games into a season.