Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hinted he could look to change Paul Pogba’s role after Manchester United laboured to a 2-1 win over Watford on Saturday.
Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial both scored as the Red Devils handed the Norwegian victory in his first game since being named as the club’s permanent manager.
But United were far from their best and were left hanging on at the end, after Abdoulaye Doucoure reduced the arrears.
Indeed, Watford started the game smartly and perhaps should have taken the lead, with United struggling to find their rhythm in the opening 20 minutes.
Solskjaer admitted his side were below par and one player who failed to hit the heights was World Cup winner Pogba.
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Amid renewed speculation linking the Frenchman with Real Madrid, the man who has perhaps been most rejuvenated since Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho in December struggled to influence proceedings against compatriots Doucoure and Etienne Capoue.
And after a game where United failed to dominate possession, Solskjaer hinted that he could change the £89million star’s role in the coming weeks.
"Paul is important for us and we couldn't keep the ball today. We had 50-50 possession at home, you are a bit disappointed with that.
"Paul has been away, played two games with France. [He plays] a bit deeper [role] for them so that is something we may have to think about to get him more involved.
"Paul can do both, he can attack and defend.”
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Solskjaer praised the performances of central defensive pairing Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, but admitted his side barely merited victory.
"It is one of them,” said the United boss. "The first games after international breaks that you know could be a potential banana skin.
"They deserved to take the lead. After we scored, with a great goal, the rest of the first half we played some great counter- attacking stuff.
"Second half we started sloppier again but at 2-0 I thought we were in control but then they scored and anything could happen then.
"It was more a draw, performance-wise. We'll take the three points. Some of the players who went away maybe played too much."
