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It was a shocking result last night for the Red Devils when they were knocked out by Frank Lampard led Derby County on penalties after the scoreline reflected 2-2 after 90 minutes. Derby scored 8 penalties while Manchester United could only manage 7.
The apprentice in Lampard prevailed over his Master Mourinho as the latter has been in deep turmoil in the last 48 hours due to a difficult row with Frenchman and Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba.
Just before the game, Mourinho apparently told the Press, that Pogba won't be captaining the United side again in any game because he was very upset with his performance last week against Wolves, where the match ended in a 1-1 draw, which United was expected to win easily. Later, Pogba was also dropped from the team for the Derby clash.
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Post-match reports have surfaced that Pogba has told United CEO Ed Woodward and Manager Mourinho that he wants to leave United. As the transfer saga of Pogba leaving Manchester United heads to an ultimatum, let's look at 5 possible replacements for the Frenchman!
#5 Frenkie De Jong (Ajax)
The Dutch midfielder would be one of the best signings United could ever make this winter or next season. De Jong can defend, he can attack, and he can hold the midfield very well, making him one of the most lucrative box to box players in the current era.
With Manchester United and Real Madrid chasing the 21-year-old sometime now, Ajax would be wary of the interest as well as the player, and there is no doubt both the European giants would be bidding for him in the next transfer window.
Considering Pogba will definitely leave United in the next transfer window, United probably need De Jong more than Madrid do.
#4 James Maddison (Leicester)
The English sensation from Leicester has caught almost every Premier League team's eye this season with his brilliant performances for Leicester. Not only that, but England manager Gareth Southgate is also looking out for him and planning an England call-up.
The Leicester midfielder has 3 goals and 1 assist in the 6 Premier League matches he has played this season, and the tally is an astonishing one considering that fact that Maddison has been one of the exciting prospects in an actually complacent Leicester side.
Even if Maddison hasn't proved a lot at the big stages in football, he is definitely at his peak right now, and United could get him at a bargain against the price they settle for Paul Pogba. The Number 10 could be one of the players saving United's season if he were to join the Red Devils this January.
#3 Blaise Matuidi (PSG)
There were rumours that Juventus want to bring back Pogba to Turin as the Frenchman's misery at Old Trafford grows. If that were to happen, United could actually do a cash plus player swap for Pogba with none other than another Frenchman Blaise Matuidi.
Matuidi has been one of the best at the box to box position for Juventus and earlier PSG in the last 4 years. He also played a major role in France's World Cup win this summer in Russia.
The Juve midfielder is a serious attacking threat when on the ball, and when the opposition is attacking, he can press the opposition very well thanks to his pace. United could use the midfielder very well in the place of Pogba and the best thing about him is the fact that he suits the United game - fast and attacking.
#2 Thiago Alcantara (Bayern)
Thiago was considered the next big thing in Spanish and World Football when he rose to the occasion in Spain's dominance at the World U-21 and U-1 levels. A product of the Barcelona youth academy, the Bayern Munich midfielder has played for Barcelona in the La Liga too, amassing great experience of the top flight.
But the Spaniard's downfall began when Barcelona sold him to Bayern Munich in 2013, and since then he hasn't been in the limelight very much for the last 5 years. But the potential is endless.
United have been linked to Thiago many times now in the past, and with Pogba's departure becoming more apparent now, United could actually bring in the Spaniard to the Premier League. It's evident that Spanish players can suit very well to the Premier League standards with only United boasting of 3 regular Spanish first team players.
It's time the Thiago rumours from back in 2015-16 become a reality now.
#1 Adrien Rabiot (PSG)
There is no doubt that the next big thing in the Central Midfield position, apart from Ajax's Frenkie De Jong, is PSG's Adrien Rabiot. Rabiot is being chased by Liverpool, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona, for some time now.
The 23-year-old is one of the best box to box players in the world right now and a core to the PSG team's midfield. But apparently, as his contract runs out at the end of the season, Rabiot is not willing to extend it and wants to leave PSG for better opportunities.
With Pogba leaving, it will be the best possible replacement for United to latch on Rabiot and bring him to the Theatre of Dreams. United needs a player of Rabiot's quality, and the similarities between Pogba and Rabiot makes him the most ideal replacement for the departing Paul Pogba.
