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Manchester United: Gary Neville claims Paul Pogba is 'confused' following Chelsea defeat

Despite being a first team regular, Pogba is yet to establish a clearly-defined role for himself in Mourinho’s side

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Pogba failed to have an impact on proceedings at the Bridge Getty

Gary Neville has claimed that Paul Pogba could be feeling “confused” about his role under Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.

The former full-back, who now works as a television pundit for Sky Sports, was discussing Pogba’s performance in United’s 4-0 humiliation at Chelsea on Sunday.

Pogba was deployed in the no 10 role by Jose Mourinho, despite scoring twice after starting in a deeper position for Thursday’s 4-1 Europa League victory over Fenerbahce.

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The 23-year-old midfielder, who returned to Old Trafford this summer following a world-record £89m transfer from Juventus, failed to have an impact on proceedings at Stamford Bridge but Neville reserved some sympathy for him.

“I’d imagine he’s confused,” Neville said on Sky Sports’ Gary Neville Podcast. “He probably doesn’t know what’s happening. He’s been signed for such a huge fee.

“When you play him as a two in midfield, you saw at the end, he’s everywhere. They somehow have to play him in a position where he’s allowed to do that because I’m not sure he’s going to change.”

Despite being a first team regular, Pogba is yet to establish a clearly-defined role for himself in Mourinho’s side.

Chelsea 4 Manchester United 0 player ratings

Chelsea 4 Manchester United 0 player ratings

  • 1/22 Thibaut Courtois - 6 out of 10

    Only had to make a handful of saves, but was safe between the sticks.

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  • 2/22 Cesar Azpilicueta - 7 out of 10

    Defended very well, looked strong throughout and worked hard.

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  • 3/22 David Luiz - 6 out of 10

    Did all of the simple stuff well – did his job.

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  • 4/22 Gary Cahill - 7 out of 10

    He deserved his goal to double the tally following an impressive performance.

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  • 5/22 Victor Moses - 8 out of 10

    Tremendous performance from the Nigerian. Looked threatening going forward and defended incredibly well.

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  • 6/22 Nemanja Matic - 7 out of 10

    Another great performance from Matic – his work rate was faultless and played some clever football.

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  • 7/22 N’Golo Kante - 6 out of 10

    His goal was a display of individual brilliance – fantastic finish.

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  • 8/22 Marcos Alonso - 6 out of 10

    Did very well both on and off the ball and attacked with menace.

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  • 9/22 Pedro - 7 out of 10

    His early goal set him up for a momentous performance in true Pedro fashion.

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  • 10/22 Diego Costa - 6 out of 10

    Was desperate to get his name on the scoresheet, but aside from failing to do that – he done very well with his positioning and passing.

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  • 11/22 Eden Hazard - 8 out of 10

    What a performance from the Belgian. He was pacey, skilful and made all the right decisions.

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  • 12/22 David De Gea - 5 out of 10

    He made an early mistake with the first goal by being caught in the wrong position and then the three following goals account to a disappointing day for the Spaniard.

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  • 13/22 Antonio Valencia - 7 out of 10

    Defended well, put in some exceptional crosses and through balls.

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  • 14/22 Chris Smalling - 4 out of 10

    A dismal display by Smalling’s standard, he was caught out of position regularly and made some bad decisions in possession.

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  • 15/22 Eric Bailly - 6 out of 10

    Did his job at the back, but could have been stronger with his tackles.

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  • 16/22 Daley Blind -5 out of 10

    Poor positioning for the first goal and was struggling to keep up with the pace of the Chelsea attack.

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  • 17/22 Ander Herrera – 6 out of 10

    Tried to make the most out of a bad situation, but his efforts went unrewarded.

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  • 18/22 Marouane Fellaini - 5 out of 10

    Was quiet in the middle of the park – could have done more and for a man his size and build, he was getting beaten in the air.

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  • 19/22 Marcus Rashford – 6 out of 10

    Was careless with possession which is out of character for him, but he did show the occasional glimpse of skill with his pacey runs down the flank.

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  • 20/22 Paul Pogba – 5 out of 10

    It was a dull performance for a man of such brilliance. He never seemed to settle and was struggling to maintain possession.

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  • 21/22 Jesse Lingard – 6 out of 10

    Made a few good balls and tested Courtois on the occasion, but there was only so much he could do.

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  • 22/22 Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 5 out of 10

    Aside from an early header and a late volley, he had very little attacking impact on the game. Or any impact at all for that matter.

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“It was a difficult day for him, it really was,” Neville added. “It was difficult for him at Anfield actually at times as well as a no 10.

“At the moment, I think Jose Mourinho is trying to find a way to incorporate [him], because obviously when you sign a player for that level of money you have to find a way to make it fit.

“That is a conundrum that Jose Mourinho is going to have to solve. Finding the right partners in midfield or partner for him, who plays on the width alongside him – he’s got a lot questions to answer for himself, Jose Mourinho.

“He’ll be thinking I’ve tried him, I’ve tried that there. At the moment, it must be changing week-by-week by what he’s seeing.”

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Ryan Giggs, who like Neville is a graduate of United’s Class of ’92 , recently used similar language to assess Mourinho’s treatment of club captain Wayne Rooney.

Rooney was dropped from United’s starting line-up last month following a spell of poor form and uncertainty over his role in the side.

“I feel a little bit sorry for him,” Giggs said, when questioned about his former team-mate’s demotion. 

“Towards the end of last season and for England in the summer he was played in that deeper role, then he was told he’s playing as a No 9 or a No 10. He’s probably a bit confused.”

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