Pogba starts, 4-2-3-1: How Man Utd could line up with Sancho and Varane | OneFootball

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be happy with the progress made in Manchester United’s transfer activity since he arrived in 2018. United are more opportunistic than ever in the market and after signing Jadon Sancho, it looks like Raphael Varane could be the next man through the door.

Talks with Real Madrid over his transfer are said to have accelerated lately and should the Frenchman complete a move, he is likely to partner Harry Maguire at the heart of defence.

The goalkeeping issue remains just that, an issue. Tom Heaton joined earlier this summer but is unlikely to challenge for the number one spot from the start. That leaves Dean Henderson and David de Gea.

Henderson was Solskjaer’s pick for Manchester United run-in in the Premier League, despite the Spaniard’s inclusion in the Europa League final loss to Villareal, and is likely to start this season as the first-choice goalkeeper. Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw are clear picks on either side of the centre-back pairing.

In midfield, Scott McTominay and Fred remain Solskjaer’s favored pairing in a pivot but a change in formation could allow Donny van de Beek or Paul Pogba a chance to impress centrally.

Further up the pitch, Edinson Cavani will spearhead the attack in front of Bruno Fernandes, who is likely to have Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford on either side.

There is still uncertainty over Rashford’s injury status, with a decision on a potential shoulder surgery still not taken. Should the 23-year-old miss the start of the campaign, it’s likely that Sancho will take up his position on the left, with Greenwood slotting in on the right side.

Possible XI (4-2-3-1): Henderson; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Maguire, Shaw; McTominay, Pogba; Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford; Cavani

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