Lothar Matthaus: Jose Mourinho’s team selection doesn’t suit his Manchester United system as Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez fail to gel
SunSport’s European football expert Lothar Mathaus assesses the tensions at the heart of the Utd team ahead of their vital Champions League last-16 tie with Sevilla
LOTHAR Matthaus is SunSport’s European football expert.
Today the Germany great assesses the tensions at the heart of the Manchester United team ahead of their clash with Sevilla.
Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez are both fine players but it is clear that something is not working with them together at Manchester United.
Normally you would expect players of this quality to understand each other but the balance in the team is not right.
Jose Mourinho’s problem is picking the players who fit the system but at the moment I don’t have a feeling when I watch United that anybody is comfortable or that this team works.
Pogba should be able to play in a team with Sanchez but it seems they should not be on the same side of the pitch.
Neither of them is working back for the defence.
I wonder if they’re having the same problem as Edinson Cavani and Neymar are at PSG - the two of them playing for themselves and not the team. In the highest level games, that costs you.
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Each player has to give up something from his personality and ego for the good of the team.
You have to play Pogba in a 4-3-3 - but he should play on the other side to Sanchez.
When they are on the same flank there is a defensive problem - Pogba leaves that side open.
The shape should be more compact, with one holder, two more advanced midfielders, men wide and one striker.
That means no No 10 but it would be better for United and the combinations. That’s a decision for Mourinho to make, to decide which players can work with each other.
I expected more from United. They have invested a lot of money on good players but they are not playing anywhere near as well as City, Liverpool or Tottenham.
It is down to the coach to find the small details that will be best for the team.
Not what’s best for Sanchez and Pogba, but what makes the team better.
Then, if you get that balance, they have the individual qualities that can make the difference.
Good players have to work together. They have to find a way and think for the team, not about themselves.
If they cannot get it right, it may be difficult. Spanish teams are good tactically and Sevilla have a real pedigree in Europe.
They will be well organised in defence and attack although United have more quality.
Chris Smalling and Phil Jones have made too many mistakes recently.
You cannot afford to do that at this level and if they keep on making them they will concede goals.
If United play to their maximum, they will get past Sevilla. Over the two games I think they will have enough but it will be tight and I would not be surprised if the first leg ended up as a draw.