I felt that this is a topic that a lot of us are wondering about, and I felt that perhaps we can have a discussion as to how he can best be utilised.

I had initially posted the text below here:

https://www.reddit.com/r/reddevils/comments/53c8wa/jose_we_have_to_improve_individually_and/d7rvk33

Here's my take on it:

To get the best out of Paul, I don't think we should play a 10 or we should play Paul at the 10.

Something like Carrick behind Herrera and Pogba would enable him to dominate so much more than being stuck behind a 10 (whoever it may be). Even someone like KdB being there would alter Pogba's role. The investment we've made means that we have to let Pogba dictate the midfield, and putting a 10 in means we're stifling him from doing that. It's self-harm, basically. Stretch the defence with two wingers, let Ibra play alone up front, let Pogba and Herrera run forward into the gap between the opposition midfield and defence and let them dictate play there. The formula for success is simple in theory: a breaker, a playmaker, and a box-to-box. We have our box-to-box in Pogba. We need someone to dictate the tempo (playmaker) and someone to break up plays and recycle possession (breaker). Now the person who's breaking up plays doesn't necessarily need to double as our playmaker in a 4-3-3, which is the beauty of it. We can diversify roles in midfield without putting too much burden on any one player. When we let Paul go about his job influencing both ends, we'll see his true potential.

We've invested in Schneiderlin just last summer, so it would make sense to give him and Blind both a shot at being the breaker. Breakers don't have to be physically menacing, but they need to play the full 90 regularly and keep sweeping in front of the defence. It gives them that insurance policy that we're lacking right now. Break up the play, immediately find our playmaker or box-to-box. Simple role in theory, but much harder to execute. Need a good footballing brain at the helm, hence why I suggested Blind. Short-term though, Carrick fits this mould the best.

For the playmaker role, someone who dictates the tempo of the game is so rare. The likes of Verratti, Modric, Kroos, Rakitic, etc. are these players. They can bring the ball further up the field, they can find that splitting pass while staying back, they can find incisive openings when on the move, and they generally make the right pass at all times. If in trouble, they'll find a way to switch the play into an opening. Rare breed, these players. Ander Herrera does a lot of these things, but not with the consistency of an elite playmaker. Wayne tries to do a lot of these things, but he's not quick enough. You see these best midfielders have that timing down and Wayne unfortunately does not. Now we can't just go shopping for these players as they'll cost an absurd amount. Kroos was our best bet when he was available, but that time is gone and we have to look elsewhere. One that was available this summer was Ilkay Gundogan, who I've admired for a long time. It hurts me to see where he is now. For now, our best bet would be giving a chance to Herrera and seeing if he can do it on a consistent basis.

Give Pogba the tools to succeed. Rooney takes up a lot of the space that Pogba wants to drive into, he's been given duties that don't play to his strengths (midfield 2 with Fellaini, distributing possession), and hasn't had the chance to have a reliable partner in possession of the ball. I'm very confident that all we need is a tweak, not an overhaul. The quality is there, and I'm hoping our wingers pick it up soon. They need to stretch the defence and it's a shame that Lingard started the derby so poorly. He does so many things right and he runs all day; I hope he gets another chance to prove himself as he can be quite an asset in opening up the middle. It's all strategy, and every piece plays a part. Long-term, we'll want a striker who doesn't always fancy dropping deep because that's where Pogba will be operating. We'll want someone who can make runs in behind the defence and stretch that defensive line. Luckily we've got someone who shows promise in doing that.

I'd be interested in hearing your takes on what you feel is missing right now in Pogba's role and as to where he should be playing. Is it a team tweak, is it a signing we need to make, or is it just that he's out of form? It obviously isn't just limited to those options and could be a variety of factors too. I've generally found that in discussion topics we have some very neat theories posed that open a few eyes as to what the exact nature of the problem is.