Phil Neville says Man United not starting Paul Pogba is “disgraceful”

"Pogba has to play"

Phil Neville has said Paul Pogba's exclusion from the Manchester United starting XI is "absolutely disgraceful." Pogba was left out of United's first XI for United's loss against Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League last week, as well as their win against Everton at the weekend. And Phil Neville has criticised Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team selection, saying Pogba "has to play." Talking to Premier League Productions, the former United full-back said: "I still think it's absolutely disgraceful that Pogba can't get in that team. "For United to win a league, for United to be successful, for United to play the style of football that Ole wants them to plan then Pogba has to play. "You can play one of them: Matic, Fred or McTominay, and then you can play Pogba with (Bruno) Fernandes." Neville's suggested midfield dynamic has been tried many times this season, but has often led to the team being exposed defensive - not necessarily a slight on Pogba, but the balance of the team. Pogba has been in and out of the team this season, coming off the bench six times, compared to his five starts for the Red Devils. Picking a midfield is no easy task for Solskjaer - not only does he have to try to fit Pogba and Fernandes into the same team, but he's also got Donny Van De Beek to consider. One way of getting them all into the same line up is to play a diamond, which worked a charm against RB Leipzig but failed miserably against Arsenal. Ideally, as Neville suggests, you would play Pogba. But even his fans will admit his inconsistency can be incredibly frustrating.