Former Liverpool star Danny Murphy has explained why he believes playing Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes together will cause problems for Manchester United.
The Red Devils have struggled defensively in their first two games of the 2020/21 Premier League season, conceding five goals overall against Brighton Hove Albion and Crystal Palace.
Pogba and Fernandes both started in midfield in those games, and Murphy believes this will continue to cost Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team, especially against better opponents.
"Pogba and Fernandes in the same team makes them too offensive. Against better opposition, you'll get found out. They're both brilliant technicians and creative footballers.
"Their defensive mindset is reactive, not proactive. They don't spot danger. They react afterwards. They see it and think, 'I better get back'. It's not natural for them.
"The only time I've ever seen Pogba defend was for France under (Didier) Deschamps when he was next to (N'Golo) Kante and put in a hell of a shift against Belgium.
"But generally, he's a creative player, he's a brilliant player. I don't think, moving forward, United are going to challenge for the title.
"I'm not talking about top four, I'm talking about getting back to competing for the title by having five offensive match-winners in the team – I just don't think you can do it unless they change their defenders.
"They're not going to challenge for the title while playing those two in midfield."
United have made just one signing for their first team in the current transfer window, having added Donny van de Beek to their midfield from Ajax Amsterdam.
Although he offers a box-to-box option, Van de Beek considers himself an offensive player, which means Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matic and Fred are the Red Devils' main options as defensive back-up in the middle of the park.
