Manchester United might have a classy pair in midfield in Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba when the Premier League restarts. With the World Cup winner recovered from injury Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could select the two together for the first time.
There have been many questions asked about whether Pogba and Fernandes would be able to co-exist.
And the 2-1 loss to West Brom in a 60-minute warm up match on Friday with the two playing together has only heightened the worry.
But former United star Gary Neville thinks they can be very effective and used Kevin de Bruyne and David Silva at Manchester City as an example.
He tweeted: “I don’t understand the sentiment of “How do Pogba and Fernandes“ fit together.
“They won’t be in a 2 sitting!
“With more fluid systems today than 20 years ago it should be simple.
“We’ve just watched De Bruyne and David Silva play together for 3 years in a MDF 3.”
Of course a lot would have to be done by the third member of United’s midfield alongside Fernandes and Pogba.
And that job would fall on either Scott McTominay, Fred or Nemanja Matic.
Former United star Darren Fletcher thinks Pogba and Fernandes may have to make sacrifices if they want to play in the same team successfully.
“Without doubt, of course. Great players can come together,” he told United’s website.
“Listen: somebody might have to sacrifice a little bit of something – that’s part of being in a team, it’s not an individual sport.
“When you play with a certain midfield, whether it’s a midfield three, you adapt your game to complement each other.
“That’s what I had to do at United. I was in the team with lots of different midfielders, lots of combinations and, if a certain midfielder was playing, I would try to take up positions to allow him to benefit and he would do things to allow me to benefit.
“It’s all about being compatible and recognising the strengths of your fellow team-mates and how to get your best performance, but, ultimately, you might be sacrificing what you do best to allow someone else to excel, which helps the team win.”
United return to action next Friday when they take on Tottenham in the Premier League (8.15pm).
The Red Devils will look to leapfrog Chelsea and finish in the top four to ensure Champions League football next season.
