'Manchester United Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Does NOT Totally Trust Paul Pogba'

Michael Owen has claimed that Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does not 'totally trust' Paul Pogba in midfield.

Solskjaer deployed Pogba from a wide position in United's 3-1 comeback victory over Aston Villa at Villa Park on Sunday.

Pogba has found himself out on the left of midfield for much of this season as Solskjaer has opted for two holding players ahead of the United defence.

However, Owen has argued the 28-year-old French star's strength is playing alongside a holding midfielder.

The 41-year-old former Liverpool striker added that Pogba's position out on the left impacts the likes of Edinson Cavani, who is benched as a result of Solskjaer not trusting the Frenchman as a sitting midfielder.

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

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

"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 remains a central part of Solskjaer's plans at United, despite uncertainty surrounding his long-term future at Old Trafford.

The United midfielder's current deal will expire in 2022 and he has been linked with a return to Juventus.

The Red Devils, who are second in the Premier League table, will return to action on Tuesday as they host Leicester City at Old Trafford.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Paul Pogba, Football, Manchester United, Premier League, England, Michael Owen, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Adnan Riaz

Adnan Riaz is a journalist for SPORTbible. He studied for a B.A. in History at the University of York and followed it up with an M.A. in Multimedia Journalism at MMU. Before he started writing about sports, he spent over four years in the gaming press. He has worked for several publications, including Hardcore Gamer, LADbible and the Manchester Evening News. Follow him on Twitter to find out what he is working on next. Got a story tip for Adnan? Email him: [email protected]

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