UCL 2018-19, Manchester United vs Barcelona: 5 key factors that could decide the quarterfinal clash at Old Trafford

#3 Paul Pogba will play, but where?

Will Paul Pogba bring his performances along with his Rolls Royce?

Paul Pogba missed out on the second leg against PSG and Manchester United had to turn the game around themselves. He will be available for the clash against Barcelona but where will he play? It has a lot to do with the tactical set-up that Ole has planned and also the formation.

Ole has tried out various formations in which he has deployed Pogba at CAM, CDM, CM, RM, and thankfully he hasn't been asked to play as a central defender. So many roles but the best fit for Pogba has to be the central attacking midfielder role.

But even that has so many dimensions to it. If Manchester is playing on the counter, then attacking midfielder role doesn't mean much. It is going to be a no-nonsense run at the defense and a look to finish. Creation doesn't matter here.

Even if the plan is to play on the counter, does Pogba help out in the defense or does he lurk around to pounce on the counter? Does he run through the middle or through the wings? Everything is very important because he is their best player.

If I was Valverde, I would not want Pogba to attack. So Pogba must be attacking even if he is playing on the counter. Next thing. Where does he run through? Not through the wings. He doesn't have the pace, the whole defense would get back in the meantime. The best option is to run through the middle, try to get Pique and Lenglet to backtrack, try a shot or try to lay it off, whatever. It will be tough for Pogba to be the guy he likes to be on the pitch.