At long last
Today’s team news for the clash with Chelsea was greeted with cheers, party hat emojis and tears of joy across Manchester and London as the moment United fans had been waiting all season for finally came.
As the team news read, McTominay, Matić, Pogba, it became clear to fans that United’s record signing would finally be played in his best position: the left of a midfield three.
Finally, he would not have to collect the ball from the defenders and try to create from deep, but he will be able to receive the ball further up the pitch and create chances from the left ‘half-space’, or ‘channel’ in layman’s terms.
Today's #MUFC starting XI – and it looks like 4-3-3 for the Reds!
🔴 #MUNCHE 🔵 pic.twitter.com/h2Ri0JDeM8
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 25, 2018
Saying that, Pogba did feature in that role in the festive win over Everton, at Goodison Park, but Mourinho did not stick with that for long.
From the way the line up was ordered, it also seems that Alexis Sánchez will play from the right, with Anthony Martial moving back to the left-wing, where he is much more effective.
POGBA AND MARTIAL START! https://t.co/B2gxA4lIS2
— Retro United (@Retro_Utd) February 25, 2018
No excuses for Pogba today…playing in a 4-3-3…show us what you got @paulpogba 👏
— Ashley Pereira (@Aereira_) February 25, 2018
Pogba madness incoming.
— A.K (@ameerkolo) February 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/thomas_lenihan/status/967752177975549952
https://twitter.com/Robbie6x_/status/967751876178571266
Pogba in a midfield three? Hmmn 👀
— Malcølm XXX (@H03KAGE) February 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/Kenetchy_/status/967749086060433408
Finally Pogba starts in a midfield three no excuses now this is must win! ⚽️🔴 https://t.co/ZaL7Ft8v5C
— Keane (@United_Keane23) February 25, 2018
Pogba in a midfield three. 👍👌
— Dhhaivat (@RampantRooney) February 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/tacticalzizou/status/967747952323301377
The game could go one of two ways: it could be a fantastic contest between two great sides coached by two great managers, or Mourinho could stink the place out like he tends to do in big games.
Fans and neutrals alike will be hoping it’s not the latter. There’s only so much Mourinho bus parking one can take in a season.
