What will it take for Manchester United to unlock the international Paul Pogba?

What can Manchester United do?

The issue at Manchester United is the conflict of interest. The position Pogba would want to occupy is successfully acquired by Bruno Fernandes.

It’s not that the pair has no trust between them. They have, in fact, formed a brilliant partnership, but accommodating Pogba in such a setup has become a difficulty for Solksjaer.

One simple insight anybody can offer is to get a reliable defensive midfielder. Someone who can be trusted to do the dirty deeds.

Leicester City’s Wilfried Ndidi has become a favourite amongst Manchester United’s supporters, but there are technical concerns over his passing, while his injury record is something that the club will have to keep in mind too.

Or one thing Solskjaer can try out in the pre-season camp is to work on different approaches. The Norwegian has never shied away from deploying different formations, and this has bore fruit more often than not.

The comeback against PSG in the Champions League was done with a three-man defence, while a 5-0 thrashing of RB Leipzig in the group stage last season was a diamond 4-1-2-1-2.

This approach can help Solskjaer use both Fred and McTominay which will allow Pogba to run the game from the middle. Fernandes and the two forwards can then work their way up.

But then again, a 4-1-2-1-2 setup will have no width whatsoever and if United do end up signing Jadon Sancho, there will be no practical place for the winger in this.

There are several such outlooks for Solskjaer to try and hence, the pre-season camp would be of utmost importance. Paul Pogba finds himself at a crossroad at the moment. He’s set to enter the final year of his contract and the United coaching staff need to make a decision.

Should they let him leave for good? Because let’s face it, after his Euro 2020 heroics, there will be no shortage of suitors. Or should they bring in better reinforcement to accommodate a place for him?