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Man United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer accused of 'not trusting' Paul Pogba

Football

By Mirror | May 10, 2021

**Manchester United's Paul Pogba and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer** [Reuters, Jason Cairnduff]

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer doesn't "totally trust" Paul Pogba in his midfield according to Michael Owen.

The Frenchman was again deployed from a wide position in his side's win at Aston Villa on Sunday.

Pogba has played from the left for much of the season as Solskjaer prefers to use two holding players at the base of midfield.

But Owen believes the need to accommodate Pogba in a wide role is hampering the team's selection with Edinson Cavani often missing out.

United's record signing has been accused of lacking discipline in the middle of the pitch which has forced Solskjaer to play him elsewhere.

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"I know every Manchester United fan around the world would agree: get Paul Pogba in alongside one sitting midfield player," Owen told Premier League Productions.

"Then you can get an extra body going forward, the likes of Cavani and you can put Fernandes in behind with the two normal wide players.

Pogba (L) comes on for Man United's Brazilian midfielder Fred as a substitute during the English Premier League football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, on June 19, 2020. [Glyn KIRK, AFP]

"However, as it is, you have to put Cavani on the bench because you don’t trust Pogba in the middle as a sitting midfielder so you have to stick him out wide. It’s a conundrum.

"Whenever they play against a very good side, he goes back to basics. He goes back to thinking, 'I need those two protective midfield players'.

"When he’s playing an average team at home, he’ll go and play all his stars. He lets the shackles off.

"But I don’t think he totally trusts Pogba in that role as a centre midfield player alongside one of them."

Pogba burst onto the scene at Juventus where he was often used in a left-sided role, freeing him up from defensive duties.

It was the 28-year-old who won United's penalty at Villa Park which allowed Bruno Fernandes to level the scores.

Their win means Manchester City's title celebrations remain on hold.