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Michael Owen claims Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does not "trust" Paul Pogba

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 10 May 2021

Ex-Manchester United forward Michael Owen does not think that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer trusts Paul Pogba to operate in the centre of his midfield.

Former Manchester United striker Michael Owen believes that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does not completely trust Paul Pogba.

Despite persistent speculation surrounding his next career move, Pogba has established himself as a key player for United this term, claiming four assists from his last five Premier League outings.

However, the France international has often been used on the left-hand side of Solskjaer's midfield in recent weeks, and Owen thinks that the United boss is not convinced by his ability in the middle of the park.

Speaking to Premier League Productions, Owen said: "I know every Manchester United fan around the world would agree: get Paul Pogba in alongside one sitting midfield player.

"Then you can get an extra body going forward, the likes of [Edinson] Cavani and you can put [Bruno] Fernandes in behind with the two normal wide players. However, as it is, you have to put Cavani on the bench because you don't trust Pogba in the middle as a sitting midfielder so you have to stick him out wide. It's a conundrum.

"Whenever they play against a very good side, he goes back to basics. He goes back to thinking, 'I need those two protective midfield players'.

"When he's playing an average team at home, he'll go and play all his stars. He lets the shackles off. But I don't think he totally trusts Pogba in that role as a centre midfield player alongside one of them."

The Red Devils are reportedly yet to open contract talks with Pogba, whose existing deal expires in 2022 amid links with Real Madrid and Juventus.