3 potential replacements for Paul Pogba at Manchester United

In the summer of 2019, Paul Pogba stunned everyone by openly expressing his desire to leave United in search of a 'fresh challenge'. Even though a move did not materialize, speculations were ripe that the Frenchman was not going to stay at Old Trafford for long. To make matters worse, Pogba picked up an injury at the start of September and even though he briefly returned to face Arsenal at the end of the month, he has not featured for United since. With the January transfer window fast approaching, the rumor mill is buzzing with tales of imminent departure, however, nothing concrete has been reported yet.

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As such, it is only a matter of time before Manchester United start to think about contingency plans for the Frenchman’s departure. Given his world-class abilities, replacing Pogba might not be the easiest task, but there are a handful of players United could turn to. Today, we bring you the 3 potential replacements for the Frenchman at Manchester United.

3. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Serbia, Lazio)

The Serbian is perhaps the most suitable replacement for Pogba in every way possible. Like the Frenchman, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic likes operating from the left of a midfield three. Similar to Pogba, the Serbian can both attack and defend, and both first caught the eye of the world while playing in the Serie A.

Milinkovic-Savic joined Lazio from Genk in the summer of 2015 as a 20-year-old and steadily progressed into one of the brightest young talents in the world. He was nicknamed the “Paul Pogba of Serbia” because of his resemblance to the Frenchman on the field. The Serbian uses his tall frame and athletic abilities to provide steel in the middle of the park. With the ball in his feet, though, Milinkovic-Savic is assured and composed and also has an inclination to play open, attacking football. In Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s fast and fluid system, he would be right at home.

The Serbian is an excellent passer of the ball, switching play very well and picking out his teammates with intelligent balls. He also has the ability to dribble his way into the box, akin to Pogba and carries a goal-scoring threat from midfield that will excite United fans. He can be a physical presence in the midfield and also has a record of contributing from set-pieces in both boxes thanks to his aerial prowess. The Serbian has the mentality to play under pressure, as he has displayed time and again and such a character would only make Manchester United better.

To make matters even more interesting, Milinkovic-Savic will only turn 25 next February, which means that with the right guidance, he would get even better. The Serbian is currently averaging 2.1 shots, 1.4 key passes and 1 dribble per game. He has also attempted around 1.7 tackles per game this season. If United do need a replacement for Pogba, the Serbian would fit the bill, but he will not come cheap. However, money should not be a problem for the Red Devils.

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2. James Maddison (England, Leicester City)

Leicester City's James Maddison is not the ideal replacement for Pogba at Manchester United per se. For starters, he plays as a No. 8 in a midfield three and also likes to operate as an attacking midfielder. But there’s no doubt that the Englishman is a kind of player Manchester United desperately lack in the team. Keeping in mind his ability to chalk out chances on the pitch, Maddison could yet be the perfect man to full up the creative void that would be left in the team if Pogba leaves.

The Englishman operated as a No. 10 last season and averaged 2.3 key passes and 1.4 dribbles per game. This time, Brendon Rodgers has used him as a No. 8 and Maddison has flourished in the role, excelling with the ball at his feet, while also becoming defensively aware. His dribbling has increased and improved; he is currently averaging 2.3 dribbles per game. The Englishman’s ability to operated in multiple roles will also entice Solskjaer, who will see him as the perfect candidate to take his United team forward. Having just turned 23, the Englishman could be United’s midfield maestro for years!

With speed of the forward players ahead of him, Maddison will be charged with pulling the strings from midfield or as a No. 10 in the current 4-2-3-1 formation. His positional awareness and ability to create space for himself would suit United’s style of play. However, he will definitely cost a fortune and Rodgers will loathe losing another of his star man to United.

1. Fabian Ruiz (Spain, Napoli)

The Spaniard is another young player who should interest Manchester United. Fabian Ruiz is a versatile and technically gifted footballer who could easily slip into Pogba’s shoes and orchestrate the United midfield. The Spaniard has improved with leaps and bounds in the past few seasons and has developed into one of the hottest properties in Europe. The fact that he is still only 23 will most certainly suit United’s recruitment policy.

Ruiz joined Napoli from Real Betis last season and slowly became a mainstay in Carlo Ancelotti’s midfield. He appeared 40 times for the Serie A side last term and even scored 7 goals. The Spaniard is a skillful midfielder who is also extremely intelligent on the field. A self-confessed fan of Barcelona legend Xavi, Ruiz can read the game very well and can play across the midfield. He is blessed with speed and quick feet, something that would bode very well with Solskjaer’s tactics at United.

Last season, when compared to Pogba, the Spaniard came out top on every front except assists. Ruiz averaged 2.3 key passes and 1.3 dribbles per game and was one of the most creative players of the Serie A. He also averaged 2 tackles per game, which shows that he is defensively quite sound. This season, the Spaniard is averaging 1.5 key passes and 1.7 dribbles per game.

If Manchester United do want to replace Pogba, they need not look any further than Ruiz. He will perhaps be the cheapest of the three in this list but would no doubt be an excellent player to take charge of the United midfield.

Edited by Sai Teja