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#3 Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba is one of many Manchester United players blessed with supreme on-ball ability. The Frenchman is one of the best central midfielders of his generation.
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At Manchester United, he hasn’t been able to assert the same dominance as he has with France, though. That is mainly due to his frailties when tracking back and assisting his defenders.
In a 5-a-side environment, Pogba would not have to track back as much. He would be the ideal Manchester United player to link defence and attack. His passing ability, on-field presence and quick footwork would be a lethal combination. Pogba would not face much competition from his fellow Manchester United midfielders.
The Frenchman started the season on a fruitful note, racking up seven assists in a jiffy. Since then, his performances tailed off. He is currently nursing a thigh injury. However, he would look threatening in a 5-a-side arena.
#4 Bruno Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes has been a revelation for Manchester United since his €63 million move from Sporting CP.
He has registered 45 goals and 34 assists in his two years at United. The Portuguese playmaker is one of the first names on the team sheet, and would be a vital cog in United’s 5-a-side lineup.
His creativity and goalscoring ability are well documented. What is not talked about enough is his work rate, though. The attacking midfielder is a willing runner who always looks to help out in defence. Although his main duty in the hypothetical 5-a-side team would be to contribute going forward, his work off-the-ball would be an added bonus.
Some would think that Jadon Sancho or Marcus Rashford merit a place in United’s 5-a-side setup, given their pace, dribbling and skill. However, Fernandes has locked down his place as one of United’s best players in the post-Ferguson era. So omitting him from their 5-a-side team would be criminal.
#5 Cristiano Ronaldo
Leading the line in Manchester United’s 5-a-side team would be none other than Cristiano Ronaldo.
Even at 36, Ronaldo is carrying his side over the line in league and cup competitions. The bearer of the iconic Manchester United no.7 jersey. Ronaldo is the highest goalscorer (14 goals) for his club this season.
A younger Cristiano Ronaldo would have been perfect in 5-a-side football, given the amount of tricks he would have performed. However, the Ronaldo of the 2010s is one of the most clinical strikers in the game’s history. The Portuguese would score goals for fun, even with a smaller goal in front.
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 14 goals in 18 games across competitions for Manchester United this season. He has been especially prolific in the Champions League. Over the last few years, Ronaldo has become a bonafide goal-poacher.
However, he rarely contributes to build-up play. So a 5-a-side setup would only help him in this regard, as his only job would be to slot the ball into the back of the net.
