Paul Pogba & Bruno Fernandes Gelling Nicely in Man Utd Training Ahead of Premier League Return

Manchester United midfielders Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes have been described as ‘getting along well’ since full training resumed at the start of last week, a very promising development that bodes well for when the 2019/20 season restarts later this month.

Given Pogba’s lengthy injury layoff and the onset of the coronavirus crisis, the last few days have marked the first time that the pair have actually been able to play together, nearly five months after Fernandes arrived from Sporting CP in late January.

“Good players can always play together, so definitely they can – it’s a big yes,” United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told Sky Sports last month.

“I think it’s exciting... we do have an exciting squad. Of course Bruno coming in, making the impact he made, it was a boost for everyone, the club, supporters and players.”

The Times writes that the ‘initial signs are good’ when it comes to a potential Pogba-Fernandes relationship that fans will hope take a developing team on to the next level.

The newspaper explains that those who have watched them in training so far suggest the pair are gelling. And despite a clear difference in their personalities there is said to be a ‘competitive streak that unites them and makes them respect each other’.

United were enjoying a much improved run of form immediately prior to the season being put on hold. But regardless of the disruption of momentum, Pogba’s return should be a boost and the question that Solskjaer must now answer is how to get the best out of he and Fernandes together.

It is a potential selection headache for the Norwegian, who also has Nemanja Matic, Fred and Scott McTominay to call on. The latter scored United’s most recent Premier League goal in March after returning from his own injury absence, while Matic has been a resurgent force and Fred a contender to win the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award after enjoying a strong second season.

Pogba has been heavily linked with a United exit all season, with speculation partially driven by his lengthy absence. Juventus and Real Madrid have been most credited with interest, although the financial impact of coronavirus will make it difficult for any club to buy him at this time.

His current contract at Old Trafford runs until 2021, which is only the end of next season, but does contain an as yet untriggered option to extend it by 12 more months until 2022.

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