Sam Allardyce has never been afraid to provide some out-there solutions to problems.
At the World Cup in Russia, Allardyce offered a bizarre piece of advice to England manager Gareth Southgate by suggesting that he should change the system ahead of their quarter-final clash with Sweden.
Big Sam recommended that his successor in the England hot seat should also drop either Kyle Walker or Kieran Trippier – two of Southgate’s top performers throughout the tournament – for the last eight meeting.
Supporters mocked Allardyce for his advice and he’s received a similar reaction for claiming that Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho should sell Paul Pogba on transfer deadline day if the opportunity arises.
Pogba has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer, with Barcelona reportedly prepared to take the ‘Philippe Coutinho approach‘ in their pursuit of the Frenchman.
But with no replacement in place for Pogba, United are understandably going to do everything in their power to hang on to their club record signing before the transfer window closes at 5pm on Thursday.
While several United supporters have lost their patience with Pogba, it wouldn’t make much practical sense to part ways with the French midfielder unless they have a direct replacement at the ready.
“Sell him,” Allardyce said on talkSPORT. “I don’t think he’s a dressing room boy.”
"Sell him!" 👀
Sam Allardyce explains why #MUFC should let Paul Pogba leave the club if the opportunity arises during #DeadlineDay 🔁 pic.twitter.com/Cuo0RubVwJ
— talkSPORT Breakfast (@TSBreakfast) August 9, 2018
After insisting that Sir Alex Ferguson would already have sold Pogba if he had been such a disruptive force during the legendary United manager’s time at the club, Allardyce pointed out that Mourinho is in danger of letting the 25-year-old become bigger than the changing room.
“There’s nobody bigger than Man United,” Allardyce added.
“I think the problem being for anybody in the Premier League and certainly those who want to win the Champions League and who want to want win the Premier League title, is the fact there’s not enough top-quality players worldwide to go around.”
