Three possible Paul Pogba replacements should Man United do the unthinkable and let Frenchman leave

Matt Jones - Editor 16:48 17/04/2018
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  • Paul Pogba's future at United may not be so certain.

    After yet another underwhelming performance in defeat to West Brom in which he was hauled off in the second half, Paul Pogba’s future at Manchester United is once again being called into question.

    According to the Daily Mail, Jose Mourinho is prepared to let the £89m man leave this summer. Although Ed Woodward would be loathe to part with such a marquee player, Pogba clearly isn’t clicking in Mourinho’s favoured 4-2-3-1 system and if either of the two are more likely to go, you’d say it’s the flamboyant Frenchman who would make way.

    If the seemingly unthinkable does unfold and Pogba leaves Old Trafford for a second time, where would United reinvest? Here we look at three options Mourinho might well turn to.

    SERGEJ MILINKOVIC-SAVIC

    The Lazio man become one of the most exciting and dominant midfielders in Italy, combing his raw, physical power with a refined all-round game that has seen the rising Serbian star become a long-term target for United.

    The 23-year-old blends the traditional movement and finishing ability of an attacking midfielder, with the height and physicality of a target man or defensive midfielder, improving all aspects of his game year-on-year during his three seasons with the Rome giants.

    On the defensive side he’s not as busy as teammates Lucas Leiva or Marco Parolo, although his 48 tackles in Serie A this term are fourth most at the club, but it’s his attacking game that makes him truly stand out.

    His aerial prowess and 6’2” frame make him an imposing figure to try and shake off the ball, allowing him to shield it, hold up play and bring his teammates into play.

    He averages 50.9 passes per game and only Leiva has completed more passes in Serie A than his tally of 1,475, although his completion percentage of 80.5 leaves plenty of room for improvement.

    He wins on average 2.7 aerial duels per game and has won 79 in 143 overall – 30 more than any other teammate. Although his passing may not be perfect, it’s extremely effective, Milinkovic-Savic playing 43 key passes this term (second only to Luis Alberto), leading to two assists.

    Tellingly he has found the back of the net nine teams – only prolific striker Ciro Immobile (27) has more goals at the club.

    With Mourinho looking for more all-round round midfield qualities, Milinkovic-Savic certainly fits the bill and the United manager may well step up his interest if he is indeed prepared to allow Pogba to move on in the summer.

    Liklihood: 8/10

    Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

    JORGINHO

    Has been labelled Andrea Pirlo’s replacement for Italy and Jorginho is certainly Napoli’s metronome under Maurizio Sarri.

    The Brazilian-born midfielder, who has won five Azzurri caps, would again be an ideal replacement for Pogba in the style of defensive midfielder Mourinho craves.

    An all-action workhorse who has an insatiable appetite for hard graft, Jorginho shields the back four and makes an average of 1.9 tackles per league game. His 52 total tackles are the third-most at Napoli in Serie A this term, while he’s made 45 interceptions in 2017/18 – the most of any Napoli player.

    However, he’s not in Sarri’s side just to do the dirty work, as he’s also a heavy contributor in attack.

    He averages 97.4 passes per game in Serie A this season, more than any other player at Stadio San Paolo, while only teammate Kalidou Koulibaly has made more passes in Serie A this season than Jorginho’s 2,726.

    He steps forward confidently and often looks to operate in advanced areas against deep defences.

    With 45 key passes he’s Napoli’s most creative player outside the attacking quartet of Lorenzo Insigne, Jose Callejon, Dries Mertens and Marek Hamsik, with four assists and two goals to his name.

    His work-rate, ball-winning ability, technique, vision and passing accuracy make him the complete box-to-box midfielder. Would be a brilliant addition but will probably only arrive if United can’t acquire Milinkovic-Savic.

    Liklihood: 6/10

    Jorginho

    EMRE CAN

    A bit of a stretch perhaps, seeing as he plays for United’s most hated rivals, but with his future uncertain as his contract expires at the end of the season and no deal to renew in sight, United could do far worse than make a move for the versatile German.

    Capped 20 times by Die Mannschaft, Can has shown major improvement in 2017/18 and although the likes of teammates Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane may hog the headlines, the influence he’s had on this Liverpool team cannot be ignored.

    His powerful all-action game has become integral to the way Liverpool play and the 24-year-old has cut out the mistakes of last season – he committed 70 fouls in 2016/17 Premier League; only Christian Benteke conceded more.

    His ball-winning skills have come on immeasurably. His average of 2.6 tackles per game is second at Liverpool but no-one has made more than his 67 – which is 16th overall in the Premier League (every player above him has made more appearances, bar Huddersfield’s Jonathan Hogg who also has 26).

    He is also calmer and more efficient in possession, posting a pass completion rate of 85.5 per cent and dispossessed just 15 times. His 1,543 passes place him fourth at the club overall and he’s completed 25 key passes, with four assists, while six goals in all competitions is his best return in four seasons at Anfield.

    Characterised as a defensive midfielder, Can is more box-to-box in nature and even more versatile in that he has often been deployed at right-back for both club and country.

    He is perhaps best as a deep lying playmaker and would work alongside a pure defensive-minded player in the midfield two, like Nemanja Matic, as he can also contribute further up the field.

    Liklihood: 4/10

    Emre-Can-Liverpool

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