5 players who could replace Paul Pogba at Manchester United

Four years since his return to Manchester United, Paul Pogba has been a pale shadow of the player who enthralled the Juventus faithful with his silken skills and world-class performances.

However, the Frenchman struggled to retain a regular first-team place under Jose Mourinho and the same script seems to be unfolding under current Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as well.

Despite his undoubted talent, the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner has simply failed to produce the goods at Manchester United.

In fact, in recent times, the embattled midfielder, who was rumored to leave Manchester United in the last few transfer windows, has proven to be a huge liability for the club. Pogba has conceded three penalties - the most by a Manchester United player under Solskjaer - despite mostly operating in the center of the park.

Manchester United could cut their losses and sell Paul Pogba in 2021

Pogba seems to have the support of Solskjaer for now, despite his high-profile frailties and general insipidity on the field.

However, the Frenchman's tally of just three goals and six assists in his last 35 games in all competitions for the club is a very underwhelming return from a player touted as a world-class midfielder by many.

At 27, Pogba is only approaching his prime but at the moment, he seems to have hit the ceiling at Manchester United and probably needs a move away from the club to revive his flagging club career.

On that note, let us have a look at five players who could replace Paul Pogba at Manchester United.

#5 Ryan Gravenberch

Likened with Manchester United's Paul Pogba, Ryan Gravenberch is one of the most exciting prospects to have emerged from Ajax's famous De Toekomst academy.

Last season, the versatile central midfielder, who can also play as a defensive midfielder, became the youngest Eredivisie debutant for Ajax.

Gravenberch's composure in the middle of the football pitch belies his age. His positional awareness and versatility are impressive for a player of his age and these are attributes that could see him flourish at Manchester United.

Former Netherlands international Ronald de Boer thinks that Gravenberch is a more promising prospect than a certain Matthijs de Ligt, who led Ajax to a fairytale run to the Champions League semi-finals in 201-19. He said:

"Matthijs might have been exceptional at that age, but Gravenberch has unrivalled qualities."

#4 Eduardo Camavinga

Eduardo Camavinga, who is touted as a generational talent, plies his trade for Ligue 1 club Rennes. The Angola-born French midfielder showed maturity beyond his age and played a key role in ensuring Rennes' qualification for the Champions League last season.

Camavinga's tactical intelligence and versatility are his biggest attributes. Although goal-scoring remains a work in progress for him, the teenager became France's second-youngest goal-scorer ever when he scored for Les Bleus against Switzerland.

Camavinga, who is already on the radar of top European clubs like Manchester United and Real Madrid, has impressed his Rennes coach Julien Stephan, who wants the prodigy to remain at the French club for at least another season.

"It would do him good to stay at least one more year at Rennes because he needs to back up what he's done. He's in a place he knows well. He is at a club that has enormous trust in him, and he is surrounded by people who knows him perfectly," said Stephen about his star player.

However, the teenager may not see out the remainder of his contract at Rennes. That is because Manchester United could reportedly snap up Camavinga for £45 million, as there are serious doubts over Paul Pogba's long-term future at Old Trafford.

#3 Jack Grealish

Jack Grealish has been the standout player for Aston Villa for quite a while and could be a decent replacement for Paul Pogba at Manchester United.

The 25-year-old midfielder played over 30 Premier League games for Aston Villa last season, garnering eight goals and six assists after helping the club gain promotion from the Championship.

This season, Grealish has been in blistering form. He has already scored four times and produced six assists in eight Premier League games. The England international particularly starred for Villa in their 7-2 humbling of defending champions Liverpool earlier in the season.

Thanks to his exploits, Grealish made his England debut this year. Though he is yet to score a goal for the Three Lions, he has already provided two assists.

If he continues his good form for club and country, it may not be too long before Jack Grealish is snapped up by a big club like Manchester United. In fact, the Old Trafford club could be an enticing option for the player, who could deliver the goods week in week out unlike Pogba.

#2 Denis Zakaria

Since his arrival at Borussia Monchengladbach in the summer of 2017, Denis Zakaria has been a key player in various competitions for the Bundesliga club.

The 24-year-old defensive midfielder has scored eight goals and provided six assists in over 100 games for the club. However, it is his composure and ball-winning prowess in the middle-third of the pitch that has caught the attention of Europe's big boys, including Manchester United.

With the player likely to be a more like-for-like replacement for the aging Nemanja Matic, he would be an instant upgrade on a faltering Pogba in the Manchester United midfield.

Although Manchester United are in immediate need of a center-back, Pogba's uncertain future at Old Trafford could entice the club to make a move for the combative Zakaria.

#1 Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has been a standout performer in the Lazio midfield since his arrival at the Rome club in the summer of 2015. The 24-year-old central midfielder has scored 42 goals and provided 30 assists in over 200 appearances for the club.

Milinkovic-Savic was in fine form in Lazio's strong surge for the Serie A title last season, with the Serbian midfielder making 13 goal-contributions in the league. Having already scored thrice and assisted as many times this season, Milinkovic-Savic was instrumental in taking Lazio past the group stage of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in two decades.

With the uncertain future of Paul Pogba at Manchester United, the English club is reportedly preparing a bid to land the Lazio midfielder in the upcoming transfer window.

The Serbian was linked with Manchester United two summers ago, but his steep asking price apparently doused the English club's interest. Nevertheless, Milinkovic-Savic is being viewed by Manchester United as an 'ideal' replacement, considering his attributes.

The 25-year-old is versatile enough to be deployed in a wide array of positions in the middle third, be it as a central midfielder, trequartista or mezzala role. Milinkovic-Savic is renowned for his aerial prowess, finishing ability, tactical intelligence and ability to strike from distance. He has shown in his time in Rome that he's got all the attributes to play for a big club in the future.

About the author

Bhargav is a veteran sports journalist and editor at Sportskeeda, with a rich professional experience of 17 years, working for the likes of Siemens and Bombay Dyeing. An avid football and tennis follower for over three decades, Bhargav uses his vast knowledge and experience, attention to detail, an unbiased yet interesting writing style, and thorough research to craft insightful articles, which have raked in over 20 million reads so far.

Bhargav supports Italy at national level, a team steeped in tradition and history according to him. He still harbors the heartbreak from the Azzurri’s 1994 FIFA World Cup final defeat against Brazil, and protagonist-turned-antagonist from the game, ‘Divine Ponytail’ Roberto Baggio is his all-time favorite player. His favorite manager is Marcelo Lippi, who ended Italy’s 24-year wait for the World Cup trophy, winning it in 2006.

Outside Europe’s top five leagues, he follows the MLS following Lionel Messi’s move in 2023 but favors Cristiano Ronaldo in the G.O.A.T. debate. During his free time, Bhargav enjoys driving off to new places and singing.

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Edited by Vishal Subramanian