Paul Pogba accused of ‘not wanting to adapt’ to Man Utd boss Ralf Rangnick

Rangnick impressed by how Varane has settled at Man Utd

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Manchester United’s midfield has been one of their biggest issues over the past few years. The partnership of Scott McTominay and Fred have held down the fort in the centre of the park, but if the Red Devils are to become the club they once were then the higher powers at the club may look to recruit.

Paul Pogba is the most obvious upgrade on the aforementioned pairing.

However, the Frenchman is out of contract at the end of the season and is yet to decide whether he will put pen to paper on an extension offer or move to pastures new.

Since returning to Old Trafford in 2016, the midfielder has come under immense criticism for failing to string together consistently quality performances.

The former Juventus star has been incredibly hit and miss with his displays, showcasing he is one of the best in the league on occasions but also going missing in other games.

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Questions have been raised as to whether Pogba has not been seen to best effect at United due to the various systems implemented at The Theatre of Dreams by different managers not playing to his strengths.

Now that the playmaker has returned to fitness, some are debating whether the playmaker will be able to fit into Ralf Rangnick’s high-pressing system, but former Arsenal star Nigel Winterburn doesn’t see the formation as an excuse.

He told Paddy Power: “Someone with Paul Pogba’s quality should be able to adapt to any style of managerial play. It’s more of a mental issue – and whether the player wants to adapt.

“Paul Pogba divides opinion – when he’s on top form he’s a terrific player, but when that form drops you tend to question what he is doing. There are times his mannerisms don’t help him, and we never know he’s angry or frustrated with himself or someone else.

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“I cannot see how a fully fit, top form version of Paul Pogba doesn’t fit into that Manchester United team. I don’t believe he doesn’t for a second. He is too good of a player to leave out, but he needs to be showing it on a weekly basis.”

Pogba returned to action against Middlesbrough in the FA Cup last Friday, playing 83 minutes as a holding midfielder alongside McTominay.

Although the role doesn’t entirely utilise the creativity of the 2018 World Cup winner, United supporters will have been pleased to see the midfielder perform with credit – despite the eventual defeat on penalties.

Recently, Rangnick has played a 4-3-3 formation with Bruno Fernandes playing in a deeper role rather than a no.10, and the Portuguese star has impressed.

Whether the former Sporting star was simply a placeholder until Pogba’s return or whether Rangnick was still trialling what the Red Devils’ best team looks like for when his successor arrives.

The German boss has shown that he isn’t entirely happy with the depth in midfield though become the former RB Leipzig boss was keen to reunite with Amadou Haidara last month.

The Malian has impressed in the Bundesliga since joining Leipzig from RB Salzburg and Rangnick felt that for £30million, the 24-year-old would have been a smart acquisition.

However, the United board insisted that the club were not purchasing any players in the January transfer window and would save their funds until a long-term manager was found.

It remains to be seen how the new boss fares at Old Trafford next season and also whether they will be working with Pogba in the campaign as well.

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