[Bobcat]

Not a 'good player', a 'record transfer' player.
Unless you already have Ronaldo or Messi in your team (which makes every player signed inferior, regardless of cost) you'd be expecting a record transfer player who isn't dependent on equally talented teammates in order to properly shine.

Ronaldo went to Madrid and was immediately their driving force. He was better than everyone at the club (by a distance) but that didn't stop him playing a huge role in improving the team's fortunes.

If Madrid had paid all that money, and then realised that Ronaldo wouldn't shine until he had two more Ronaldo's and a Messi playing with him... that would have been cause for concern.

I don't think it's as simple as that, and it's more of a two way street.

Kagawa for example was a player that was lauded for his ability to "improve those around him" and if you watched him at Dortmund before he came here, it seemed a reasonable assessment. He never settled here though, and i suspect the main culprit was that our system did not fit him as well as it did at Dortmund. Carrick is in the same category, as in not a "highlight reel player", but does a lot to improve those around him.

Pogba on the other hand is a different breed of player (like Ronaldo), who will often show up with a match winning piece of skill, but not necessarily elevate the players around him like Carrick does. That does not mean the Pogbas and Ronaldos of football does not improve their team (they certainly do) but they do in a different way than the Carricks and Kagawas.

Seeing as Pogba is a CM, he won't have the same visible impact as an attacking player, but that does not mean hes not worth it either. You have to keep in mind he is still only 23 years old, time is on his side and i'm confident he will get better and more consistent with time

 

[kirk buttercup]

Think he is doing well adjusting . He has been pretty good just needs to pass a little earlier imo .

 

[Quizierda]

Poor lad..

Such a young player, with clear world class potential but stucks in a team/system with no confidence, no clear structure and everybody is expecting him to put all the pieces together (at the age of 23!!!) simply due to the stupid price tag we were willing to pay for him.

He is not at his best right know that's for sure, however, there are much bigger issues than him and he is doing a solid job and will be the most vital part of United in future - if we don't lose him due to becoming a mid-table club that has nothing to offer than heritage and CASH!

 

[ZDwyr]

I thought Everton defended him pretty well. He didn't help himself by holding onto the ball for far too long a lot of the time. Disappointing performance after it looked like he was starting to slowly build some momentum.

 

[Minimalist]

Amazing you could say this after watching all our games this season (assuming you have?). Pogba was bobbins yesterday but has been quality in recent games, where he's been creating chance after chance.

Missed maybe a cup game and one league game since the start. I think he's been top class in one or two games this season (and have said so in this thread) but all to often I find he's just not up to the mark.

Like I said earlier, I think it's coaching. His technique is unreal at times and passing can be top drawer but he does stupid things with really poor decision making at times and he needs those wee issues ironed out. I'm not actually worried about him in the long-term at all.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Missed maybe a cup game and one league game since the start. I think he's been top class in one or two games this season (and have said so in this thread) but all to often I find he's just not up to the mark.

Like I said earlier, I think it's coaching. His technique is unreal at times and passing can be top drawer but he does stupid things with really poor decision making at times and he needs those wee issues ironed out. I'm not actually worried about him in the long-term at all.

You and I are pretty much on the same page, so. I think he's been poor in a lot of games this season. It had even got to the point where I was wondering what the hell he would bring to the team. His last few games have been very good though. And you could see what to expect. Very strong, great technique and fantastic vision, imagination and a wide array of passing. On his game he's a great addition to the team. When he's below par, though, he's a fecking albatross round our neck. I suspect we're going to continue to struggle until he adds some consistency to his game.

 

[Fracture90]

He's suffocating the ball way too much sometimes. Going into completely unnecessary dribbles or not passing the ball in time for the player that's sprinting.

He really needs to improve his decision making. Also tho I'm all for players shooting from the distance he really needs to tone it down a notch especially when it's obvious he's out of balance.

 

[Hawks2008]

Gotta give credit to Gana from everton here, Kept pogba in his pocket all game. Thought Pogba was defensively solid for the most part.

 

[pseudo_canadian]

Pogba is going to have an off day like yesterday, but he's been in great form of late so I'm not worried. Sometimes he just tries to do too much with the ball instead of passing it along, which he got caught a few times doing yesterday.

Defensively I thought he was pretty good. The people in here being hysterical about his performance need to calm down. He's a young player and is going to have an off day.

Not worried in the slightest about him.

 

[redflair]

A ball-hogging exhibitionist against Everton. Absolutely dire.

As I've said before if he doesn't release the ball, he'll never be a great player.

The great players do the simple things well. He doesn't.

But he might learn. Hope it starts against Spurs on Sunday.

The way he's been playing - a kind of yo-yo Yaya - it wouldn't be a surprise.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Real eye-sore of a performance. The way he kept trying to look impressive on the ball by hogging possession was a bit pathetic to be honest. Mourinho needs to drill a better ethic into his head.

Having said that, he's been superb of late so one bad out is excusable. I do think Jose should have taken him off or changed his responsibilities. He was hurting us playing like that.

 

[Santoryo]

He's been our best player this season. Opinions change on here so wildly and at the drop of a hat.

This.

The guy has one bad game after so long and here comes the mob sticking forks and pretending as if he hasn't been one of our gest players recently.

This place is fickle.

 

[Santoryo]

Also quite pathetic at the level of revisionism in this thread by certain posters.

Pogba was quite terrible yesterday but saying he hasn't even been creative enough is quite baffling considering there are stats out there showing hes made the most chances out there in European top 5 leagues let alone our own team.

I guess people have been waiting for a poor performance to land after a while to finally relieve some stress and anger.

Pogba was simply poor last game which I'm sure one won't find many arguing against that but using that poor performance to change what transpired throughout a month before and pretend as if he's been terrible in that period reeks of agenda.

Criticise his performance yesterday not his previous 6 or so games.

 

[SaboTaj]

I was so sure that our first 11 against Everton was our strongest line-up and Mou had finally figured out his best 11 and where to play Pogba. But after watching the game, and this might be a bit knee-jerk, it seems like the best position for him right now is as an LCM alongside Herrera/Carrick with Mata or Rooney in an advanced role.

When he plays in the advanced role, the ball doesn't reach him fast enough (not his fault) for him to utilize the space and time to create chances or trick any defender(s) covering him and invariably he ends up coming deeper to collect the ball which makes it easier for the opposition to nullify him due to a more congested midfield.

I personally think he's done alright, shows up at every game, plays the full 90, never tires and gives it his all. But the team also needs to realise what they need to do for him to be able to perform at the highest level in every match - which was the case when we had Ronaldo.

 

[Dr. Dwayne]

Square Pog, round hole?

 

[donkeyfish]

I was so sure that our first 11 against Everton was our strongest line-up and Mou had finally figured out his best 11 and where to play Pogba. But after watching the game, and this might be a bit knee-jerk, it seems like the best position for him right now is as an LCM alongside Herrera/Carrick with Mata or Rooney in an advanced role.

Players have bad games. I'd bet he would've been just as poor had he played in a different position. The quality of any footballer varies a bit from day to day. In order to claim what someones best position is, you have to look at a set of games.

 

[pocco]

I'm personally not worried about Pogba at all. I knew what to expect when we signed him even for silly money but i also think i can see what he can be.

I feel like we've seen this scenario many times at United over the years where a youngster comes in and only shows up in glimpses. The solution is almost always the same thing, maturity and experience. Pogba will be unbelievable in a couple of years. He'll learn how to influence a game to the best of his ability in time.

The sooner he stops letting his price tag and the expectation control his decision making, things will start looking better.

 

[redflair]

Pogba's long-range game isn't in question. His shooting, passing and vision are all there - and will only get better once he develops more of an understanding with his front players.

It's his short game that needs work. Whenver he gets the ball, it's almost as if he has to prove his martial arts credentials, feel the opponents body and then pirhouette out of a tight corner just to show that he can. On a few occasions, that's needed but mostly it isn't. He could conserve this energy, lay the ball off and move further upfield to construct more attacks.

Really, for a so-called top player he still - worryingly - picks the wrong option a few too many times. He needs to reduce that number. I like Zlatan - but a faster player up front might help him.

 

[pocco]

Pogba's long-range game isn't in question. His shooting, passing and vision are all there - and will only get better once he develops more of an understanding with his front players.

It's his short game that needs work. Whenver he gets the ball, it's almost as if he has to prove his martial arts credentials, feel the opponents body and then pirhouette out of a tight corner just to show that he can. On a few occasions, that's needed but mostly it isn't. He could conserve this energy, lay the ball off and move further upfield to construct more attacks.

Really, for a so-called top player he still - worryingly - picks the wrong option a few too many times. He needs to reduce that number. I like Zlatan - but a faster player up front might help him.

You could be describing Zlatan or Pogba o.k. that middle paragraph. I think he just needs time. It's a typical young footballer that has talent but doesn't understand how to apply it. The decision making will come with experience.

 

[redflair]

You could be describing Zlatan or Pogba o.k. that middle paragraph. I think he just needs time. It's a typical young footballer that has talent but doesn't understand how to apply it. The decision making will come with experience.

Generally agree with what you're saying - but I am describing Pogba not Zlatan. He's been playing four years or so of top-level football now - with Juve and France in CL and big tournaments - and there's a recurring theme of startling brilliance peppered with wild inconsistency.

He wants to win the individual accolades but do that, it's the little details that needs serious work. I hope he irons them out soon because, in the next few games, his manager will be desperate for top performers to get him out of the hole he's in.

 

[Kag]

Pogba's long-range game isn't in question. His shooting, passing and vision are all there - and will only get better once he develops more of an understanding with his front players.

It's his short game that needs work. Whenver he gets the ball, it's almost as if he has to prove his martial arts credentials, feel the opponents body and then pirhouette out of a tight corner just to show that he can. On a few occasions, that's needed but mostly it isn't. He could conserve this energy, lay the ball off and move further upfield to construct more attacks.

Really, for a so-called top player he still - worryingly - picks the wrong option a few too many times. He needs to reduce that number. I like Zlatan - but a faster player up front might help him.

I'm a big, big fan of Pogba but this is very true. At times, it's like he goes out of his way to make things more difficult for himself. Granted, he almost always strides away with the ball, but any of the pace in the attack has, by that point, been lost.

 

[MattyB1986]

I'm a big, big fan of Pogba but this is very true. At times, it's like he goes out of his way to make things more difficult for himself. Granted, he almost always strides away with the ball, but any of the pace in the attack has, by that point, been lost.

What I see as well with him sometimes... If he kept it simple, moved it on when needed it would allow us to flow and then he can use his repertoire when needed. He has the skillset clear as day sometimes his decision making lets him down but that might be due to the fact he feels he needs to prove he can do that to justify the pricetag or whatnot.. He's been quality in patches for us just like the rest of the squad has an whole, to be honest.

 

[Dobbs]

Just seen the buildup to the penalty again. Don't know if it's been mentioned but it's hard to understand what Pogba is thinking. At one point he's stood right next to Gueye. When he makes his move Pogba doesn't follow, instead he points for somebody else to pick him up. There was no time to pass him on and nobody saw him pointing anyway. Surely the basic thing to do is just go with him....mark him.

Infuriating when top players with incredible natural talent don't do the basics.

 

[Obiorahking_]

Sometimes Pogba tries way too hard. He isn't letting the game come to him, which is a vital part of the game for a cm. He dosen't need to create moments of magic with every single play. He needs to understand that sometimes the best plays are the simplest plays. Thats why Iniesta and Modric are so great because everything is fluid with them.

 

[EyeInTheSky]

They created more chances for each other than any other pairing in the Prem

Yep just seen that on multiple stat sites and on sky sports commentary.

We always think the grass is greener elsewhere as fans

 

[EyeInTheSky]

I think with the addition of Mikhi in scintillating form he can hopefully release the ball a little bit sooner and join the play further up the pitch. I feel that he held onto the ball more so out of necessity than desire because there was limited movements up front with the abilities to utilise the pass or even control it deftly enough to continue the attack.

 

[Jib]

The problem is that he has so much charisma that we only see him on the ground no matter the opponent. Every bad thing he does, we remember. It's not a question of price tag but of charisma.

People in this thread are unfair with him because of that.

The only thing that annoys me is that sometimes he attempts impossible shots

 

[RedCurry]

I sometimes get frustrated watching him as much as any of you. But you can't blame him for holding onto the ball for too long when no one's making a run. He wants to either make a telling pass or dribble himself. He doesn't do too many sideways passing and I am fine with that.

His biggest areas for improvement in my opinion are a) the timing of his runs into the box and b) his long range shooting. He's big and taller than most opponents, he should really be getting a lot more headers in the box but he makes his runs too late or too soon. His pop shots are just embarrassing at times.

 

[ZDwyr]

I sometimes get frustrated watching him as much as any of you. But you can't blame him for holding onto the ball for too long when no one's making a run. He wants to either make a telling pass or dribble himself. He doesn't do too many sideways passing and I am fine with that.

This is true. Valencia, Herrera and Mata are the only ones who consistently show any movement off the ball IMO. We still aren't functioning that well as a team yet and it hurts Pogba a lot as he is supposed to be the creative hub.

 

[Harry190]

A bit weak eh. Not big enough.

 

[flappyjay]

You are only good as your last game on the Cafe

 

[11101]

This is true. Valencia, Herrera and Mata are the only ones who consistently show any movement off the ball IMO. We still aren't functioning that well as a team yet and it hurts Pogba a lot as he is supposed to be the creative hub.

I wish more people could get this before mouthing off about him. The better the movement around him, the more he will create chances. Even with Ibra his lack of pace holds him back and often makes the chances harder than they should be. Mata and Herrera are hardly the quickest either. He needs players running in behind defenders and stretching defences.

In a year or two with Miki and Martial on the flanks and a quick young striker Pogba could be incredible.

 

[Fracture90]

He was horrendous today, along with the rest of our midfield. He's not a no.10 though, and once again he found himself receiving the ball high up the pitch with his back to goal and play behind him. feck me, have we not learnt anything yet this season?

Oh but we did learn. Mourinho on the other hand...

 

[Skills]

We're hugely dependent on him. When he plays well, we seem to play good football (well better than last year as that's the bar that's been set). When he's been shit, it's back to dreadful football.

 

[Janson]

Against Everton he was the only physical presence in midfield which wasn't enough. Mourinho needs another physical player in the middle to replace Fellaini. Pogba had a bad game but still brought alot to help the midfield.

 

[Shark]

He's simply not there yet for me. Not as good as he or others claimed him to be before he came, but he's still only 23, so that's almost expected.

 

[RedPnutz]

Not one of his better games but he's young and has shown his quality previously and many glimpses of that at United.

He has time even if the kneejerking fans think otherwise.

 

[VanGaalEra]

 

[Loublaze]

What? Its blatantly obvious that they don't need Pogba and therefore don't need to spend £90 million on him. Their current midfield duo is arguably the best in the world and got them the Champions League. Why the feck would they spend £90m and break that up.

You have a short memory because Real have done this several times before in order to land marquee signings at world shattering fees. Zidane's glowing praise of Pogba on several occasions indicates there was real interest in the player. They couldn't financially compete with United's offer period.

 

[VP89]

You have a short memory because Real have done this several times before in order to land marquee signings at world shattering fees. Zidane's glowing praise of Pogba on several occasions indicates there was real interest in the player. They couldn't financially compete with United's offer period.

I don't have a short memory, I remember the buys that Real made.

They spent a bucked load on Ronaldo because they required a world class talent in that position. They had no problem fronting a sizeable fee for Benzema (great talent but then only proven in France), because they needed a striker. They splashed £60m on James becuase Perez saw him as a moneymaker in South America and turfed out Ozil. They bought Bale for £80m becuase he was a big upgrade on the other wing.

History shows that if Real need a player in a position, they will get him. It also shows the chairman always trumps manager's choice if there is a difference in preference. Zidane praising Pogba means the square root of feck all in the context of Real Madrid. We know who has final say in transfers and its not Zidane.

Pogba is not an upgrade on the Kroos-Modric combination and therefore not required. Sure they would have bought him for a price, but it was never worth £90m. No club in the right mind would pay that amount for Pogba if they already had such a world class duo in their prime.