Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may look to deploy Paul Pogba in a different role in order to get the best out of the World Cup winning midfielder.

Solskjaer’s reign as permanent Manchester United manager got off to a winning start with a 2-1 win over Watford at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Marcus Rashford opened the scoring midway through the first half with his 10th league goal of the season before Anthony Martial doubled his side’s lead with a close range effort with just under 20 minutes to play.

Abdoulaye Doucoure netted late for the visitors who could have considered themselves unlucky not to have got something from the game having dominated for large periods against a laboured United.

And there was nobody more laboured in their performance than Paul Pogba who the game seemed to bypass for large parts.

The Frenchman, who had played 90 minutes in both of France’s European Championship Qualifying games against Iceland and Moldova during the international break, failed to have any influence against the Hornets and was overshadowed in midfield by fellow countryman Doucoure.

Questions could be asked as to whether Pogba’s head has been turned with reports circulating that Zinedine Zidane, who has recently returned to Real Madrid for a second spell in charge, has hinted the midfielder would be welcome at the Bernabeu.

But despite the rumours it seems Solskjaer is planning for a Manchester United midfield with Pogba in it.

He said: “Paul is important for us and we couldn’t keep the ball today [against Watford]. And 50-50 possession, at home you’re a bit disappointed with that.

“But Paul’s been away, played two games for France. Of course he’s playing a bit deeper for them as well and that might be something we have to think that about him, to get him more involved in the game, and make him dictate the game more for us.”

“But it’s game-to-game and he can do both, he can attack and he can defend.”