Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba - An iconic Man United partnership that may never come to fruition

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  • At this point, it’s almost a given that Paul Pogba will escape Manchester United’s clutches before the start of next season.

    The enigmatic midfielder attempted to wrestle away from the Premier League giants last summer but was denied a move only to barely feature this term, making just eight appearances so far.

    Despite the official reasoning behind his absence relating to fitness concerns, with the Frenchman even undergoing surgery, it doesn’t take a cynic to suspect something more sinister is at play.

    Pogba is undoubtedly the most talented individual in United’s squad and the Red Devils have sorely missed his creative spark this season.

    But any good faith he still retains among the fans is fast deteriorating with his notoriously disruptive agent Mino Raiola screaming from the mountain tops of his disgruntled client’s desperation to exit the club.

    The prospect of Pogba – one of the finest midfielders of his generation – failing to flourish at United as the catalyst he was meant to be is a depressing one for the Old Trafford faithful.

    Perhaps more disheartening though is that a promising midfield partnership with exciting new arrival Bruno Fernandes may never be forged.

    In terms of attitude, the two are on completely separate pages at present. The Portugese playmaker comes across as a fierce competitor who’s committed – for now at least – to the betterment of the team while Pogba appears content with biding his time until the summer and is in no rush to get back on the pitch.

    That’s disappointing because if he did make it over the touchline, he and Bruno may very well be on the same page, perhaps even reading off the same line, in unison.

    In his first three Premier League games for the Red Devils, Bruno has been a livewire, constantly involved in proceedings and making things happen. He averages a shot or key pass once every 15 minutes and already has two assists and a goal to his name.

    His all-action style coupled with splendid vision and clever link-up play would perfectly compliment Pogba’s dynamism and flair. He seems like the ideal partner in crime the Frenchman has yearned for and that they may plot against defences together is criminal.

    United have at times appeared sluggish and short of ideas in the final third this season but between the two of them, it’s hard to imagine Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men unable to fashion sufficient chances to put any game to bed.

    Pogba’s return to Carrington on Friday would’ve offered United fans hope that a midfield worthy of the club’s stature may finally be assembled. But, at best, they may only be allowed a little taste of such luxury.

    If their World Cup-winning midfielder does kick a ball for them again, it may only be in preparation for Euro 2020. Getting back to match fitness to secure his place in France’s first XI will be his motivation, as self-serving as that comes across.

    And during a handful of appearances in a red shirt, Pogba will likely tease and torment his own fans just as much as he does his opponents, flaunting his chemistry and swift play with Bruno whilst fully expecting to ply his trade in another country come the 2020/21 season.

    In exiting Old Trafford, he may be denying United an iconic partnership in the mould of Paul Scholes and Roy Keane, Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole, Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic or David Beckham and Gary Neville.

    The tragedy of Pogba’s probable departure will not only be the loss of a world class player but how close United would’ve come, after all these years, of a thrilling central midfield.

    Of course, it wouldn’t be the end of the world. With the right system or even a new signing, the Mancunians could very well have the formidable midfield they crave, it would just struggle to live up to the idea of Pogba and Bruno operating in perfect harmony.

    Now granted, all of this is conjecture and a lot to suggest without the two players ever lining up together. Having witnessed what each of them is capable of, the imagination could be running a little wild.

    But then again, as far as this duo is concerned, imagination may ultimately be all United and their fans are left with.

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