At long last, Paul Pogba is on the verge of signing for Manchester United, and with the move, a new world-record transfer fee will be inscribed in footballing lore.
Related: Manchester United confirms Pogba is arriving for medical
The 23-year-old French midfielder enters the hallowed grounds of Old Trafford facing heightened expectations to perform; cast alongside fellow newcomers Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Jose Mourinho's side looks almost nothing like Louis van Gaal's from the season now past.
With Pogba in the fold, here are three ways Manchester United might line up in the 2016-17 campaign:
Balanced 4-2-3-1
In this formation, Pogba sits in midfield with a defensive midfield partner in Morgan Schneiderlin beside him and works with an attacking four consisting of Anthony Martial, Wayne Rooney, Ibrahimovic, and Mkhitaryan as a box-to-box type midfielder.
The 4-2-3-1 is Mourinho's preferred formation and in this role, Pogba can provide defensive stability while also joining the attack. While he will need to be able to do both roles in order to succeed, his presence will be felt on either end of the field.
His ability to combine with Rooney and Martial on the left and with Mkhitaryan as he cuts in will determine his success in such a formation.
Diamond 4-4-2
In this formation, Rooney is used as a striker alongside Ibrahimovic, as Mourinho has expressed that his preference is to use the England international as an attacking player and not a holding midfielder.
As such, Pogba lines up as one of four midfielders in a diamond formation, with Mkhitaryan ahead of him pulling the strings as a No. 10, Schneiderlin or perhaps Daley Blind as the defensive midfielder, and any of Ander Herrera, Juan Mata or Michael Carrick on the opposite side.
Width is sacrificed for defensive stability in midfield but it requires an in-form Rooney and Ibrahimovic in order to pull off.
Flat 4-1-4-1
Slightly unorthodox thought it may be, sacrificing Rooney from the starting lineup might yield a more balanced look for Manchester United, a prospect Mourinho could look at if Ibrahimovic can handle the attacking impetus by himself.
Pogba also takes on more of the offensive responsibility, and while he could also be deployed as the No. 10 in a 4-2-3-1 in place of Rooney, this formation has the advantage in also allowing Mkhitaryan some cover out wide with Carrick in support.
In this formation, Mkhitaryan and Martial play as wide players with Pogba and Carrick holding down the middle of the park and Schneiderlin playing as a purely defensive midfielder. Should the team require a more attacking look, Carrick can be swapped out in place of Rooney or Mata.
