Manchester United: Five alternatives to Jesse Lingard in the No.10 role

#2 Juan Mata

Juan Mata is tailor-made for the role at United

The Spaniard is perhaps the only out-and-out No1.0 in Solskjaer's squad right now. Juan Mata can be brilliant in the attacking-midfield role playing in the hole behind the striker; however, his lack of pace makes him somewhat of a liability in Solskjaer's team.

The Norwegian has preferred to use the Spaniard in the right-attacking role, where his talents are somewhat wasted. Maybe, Solskjaer would be better advised to swap positions Lingard and Mata's positions and see how it impacts the team.

While playing behind the striker, Juan Mata can be a menace, especially with his final ball and movement. Even though he lacks pace, the Spaniard is quite tenacious, a quality that has seen him survive four managerial changes at United.

Mata's first touch is exquisite, as is his passing abilities. The Spaniard's vision and creative abilities are comparable with the best in the world and he could utilize the speed of the players ahead of him very well. Mata would also bring much-needed experience in Solskjaer's young team, if the Norwegian decides to give him a chance.

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#1 Paul Pogba

Paul Pogba is the ideal choice for the No. 10 role right now.

Solskjaer's safest bet for the No. 10 role, though, is his talisman, Paul Pogba. The Frenchman has been playing in a deeper role this season, as Solskjaer has attempted to use Pogba's skills and passing abilities to dictate games from deep.

The Frenchman set up two goals against Chelsea from deep, one with an inch-perfect ball from deep and another from a marauding run from the edge of his own box. Against Wolves too, Pogba's most important contribution came when he ventured into the box, winning the penalty from a brilliant use of his feet.

It is clear that in the current United team, Pogba is best suited closer to the box, where his talents would be enough to unsettle even the best of defenses. With the movement of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and either of Jesse Lingard of Daniel James ahead of him, Paul Pogba could be pulling strings all day long, while also becoming the first line of defense when the opposition counter. The Frenchman's ability to score would also be an asset from this position and he would most certainly be a huge upgrade from Jesse Lingard in the No. 10 role.

All that, though, depends on how soon and how well Fred could get going alongside Scott McTominay in the heart of the United midfield.

Pogba can link up with Anthony Martial from a more advanced role more effectively.