6
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 51
- Goals
- 9
- Assists
- 6
- Yellow cards
- 10
- Status
Can we really get away with such a role in this day and age? It's almost a dying breed - a true box to box role. As I say, it might be great when we have loads of the ball - but most teams have a dedicated "shield" these days. In the 4-2-3-1 you have to have two as a pivot - or else youre midfield gets stretched out and you lose local superiority which is why the 4-3-3 gained in popularity over it in the first place. As time has gone on you've seen the 4-2-3-1 take over from that because it allows a pivot of two - one more defensively minded than the other mind you, and the third point of the triangle in the central attacker (or even false nine if they have the ability). Even the 4-4-2 is usually utilised as a genuine diamond for the same reason. In all of these systems you don't have a guy doing two jobs - or being box to box. You have specialised sitters, holders and attackers. It will be fascinating to see if, in the really big games Pogba can play in that system - a 4-2-3-1 as a genuine, old fashioned box to box midfielder and disrupt a 3 man midfield enough to really influence it and still have the freedom to play like he did the other night at the other end of the pitch. If he can - I'd wager to say he is absolutely unique in world football.
Why all the hate for Fellaini? Thought he did well.
Zidane isn't like Iniesta either... Zidane is Zidane. Juve actually started him out as a DM when he moved there and then moved him higher when he became a fouling machine there. Best decision they ever made 
Maybe 10% of what Pogba does reminds me of Zidane. Zidane was so unique that I can't think of anyone else like him. The grace, finesse and effortless way he played football is unrivaled in a CM. The best comparison I can give... Van Basten although he was a striker. Van Basten's grace and cheer class was unique. They both looked like they were performing for a ballet as opposed to playing football.
Maybe 10% of what Pogba does reminds me of Zidane. Zidane was so unique that I can't think of anyone else like him. The grace, finesse and effortless way he played football is unrivaled in a CM. The best comparison I can give... Van Basten although he was a striker. Van Basten's grace and cheer class was unique. They both looked like they were performing for a ballet as opposed to playing football.
I still don't understand where this is coming from.
By all accounts, it looks like outside of football he likes to keep himself fit during the break (basketball, kickboxing etc.) He's a hard trainer that battled his way into a midfield with Pirlo, Marchisio and Vidal at age 19/20. Surely that indicates what kind of mentality you're questioning here? He's a world record signing at £89m yet seems unphased and nothing short of humble in his interviews i.e. his comments on being so privileged to be in the position he is when speaking to Henry.
Pogba said himself that he expresses his personality on the pitch. He's an individual that likes to have fun, attempts the spectacular and it's most likely his charisma which is the same reason why we're going to be so dazzled by him on the pitch. Heck, I'd even be happy with him having Zidane's mug shaved onto the side of his head if it makes him feel confident enough to perform the way he does. To me he just seems like a very bubbly person, that's all.
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He will be wasted if he plays as a no 10 role imo. The best thing about Pogba is his physical attribute, stamina, dribbling skill, aggression, vision. He's a roaming playmaker who contributes both offensively and defensively with a combine of box to box and deeplying playmaker duty, bring the ball forward to help our attack and dropping back to help the defense and also at the same time read the game well and control the tempo like a deeplying playmaker. Jose spent big money on Pogba to play him in that role and he's the best one for this role. He's basically Yaya Toure with more work rate and pace.
Don't think anyone is saying Pogba is on Zidane's level, just that Pogba does a lot of Zidane moves. You as someone that's clearly a big Zidane fan will realise that through the season and notice just how poor that Cesc comment is.
Just wondering, does Pogba's brothers play football in any professional or semi-professional way?
I just find it strange if one brother is so ridiculously talented, and then the two other brothers doesn't have a smidge of talent.
I just find it strange if one brother is so ridiculously talented, and then the two other brothers doesn't have a smidge of talent.
Really not difficult to google this kind of thing...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mathias_Pogba
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Florentin_Pogba
Florentin Pogba is in St Etienne and Mathias Pogba in a Scottish club if I'm not mistaken.
Cheers.
Zidane at pogbas age maybe? If I remember right he was being offered to Newcastle before he turned into a super star and moves away from France.Zidane isn't like Iniesta either... Zidane is Zidane. Juve actually started him out as a DM when he moved there and then moved him higher when he became a fouling machine there. Best decision they ever made
Maybe 10% of what Pogba does reminds me of Zidane. Zidane was so unique that I can't think of anyone else like him. The grace, finesse and effortless way he played football is unrivaled in a CM. The best comparison I can give... Van Basten although he was a striker. Van Basten's grace and cheer class was unique. They both looked like they were performing for a ballet as opposed to playing football.
Segment about him on PL World
It's the commercial obligation that bothers me. He is really into it. I truly believe it takes away from his full concentration towards achieving his goal. I saw those interviews. I liked what I saw. The hype around him though, I think it's dangerous.
I'd actually argue that if a player wasn't committed to the commercial side of the game, his chances of the Ballon d'Or are basically zero. You have to have the biggest profile and the best performances to back it up. In any case, United would have in no way bought him if his commercial potential didn't help finance the deal, and the two best players in the world recently are the most commercialized players out there.
I think the best place you can play him and the best team tactics to get the best from him is exactly what Jose did Friday. He was out there to just express himself box to box.
Exactly.
The idea that Pogba must be played more advanced is a flawed one IMO. Have him face the play with options ahead of him, don't give him a reason to play with his back to goal where he could be locked out of a game.
You can most certainly cope just fine defensively with Pogba as one of the 2 holders, Cesc Fecking Fabregas - the most physically limited person in the world was positioned right there, and was one of the main reasons Chelsea enjoyed such a good start to the season in 14-15. And Pogba, through virtue of being 6'4 is far more of a barrier to get around, plus he has the athletisism and appetite for the nitty gritty that Cesc lacks.
Having a really top notch box to box player is more valuable than boasting a world class number 10, very few players have Pogba's attributes so let's play him where he can really dominate the midfield.
There's no way Jose is going to play him as a number 10 imo. He said himself that the best way to use him is to just let him free.
Perhaps when we romp away to the Etihad or such, he'll push him forward a little bit, and have Fellaini paired with Morgan or Ander.
Perhaps when we romp away to the Etihad or such, the hardest of places, he'll push him forward a little bit, and have Fellaini paired with Morgan or Ander
Cheers for that, enjoyed it.
The part where he greets the United staff at the training complex is great, a side of his character we don't often get to see, very well mannered and grounded young man.
Still hasn't sunk in yet, I'm just so excited to see what he can become with us.
Honestly, it's hilarious reading about how Zlatan and Pogba were going to struggle in the prem, "a huge shock" ffs
Didn't you know PL is best league 4eva!
In that case, I'd hope it was a 4-3-3 rather than Pogba pushing up. He has to start deep - his driving runs and accelerations can take opposition players out of the game in an instant. You lose that if he plays too far forward
It still feels surreal that we have him. Honestly I just love it.
They look like triplets!
Yeah still very weird for me, even after seeing him play last week.
I never even considered him coming back as being a realistic possibility. It's just crazy.
He will play a 4-3-3 with Pogba being one of the three midfielders.
Where do people think Pogba will end up in the patheon of United midfield greats? Below Edwards, Robson, Keane and Scholes? Or somewhere in and amongst them? If so where?
It depends on how long he stays. If he finish his career here, i will put him along with them. He has something more than them though, he's entertaining off and on the pitch.
Just been rewatching his touches vs Bayern in the CL quarters, he really should have been on the winning side. Scored a goal himself and Juve's Bunch of donkeys wasted three golden chances he put on a plate:
He's already better defensively and physically than Scholes. But yeah, he will need to stay at least 3-5 years if he wants to be in the "All time greats" list.
On pure talent, I'd put Di Maria up there as one of the best wingers we ever had. But his longevity means the likes of Nani are probably ahead of him in a United shirt.
Thanks.
I didn't watch the match, but it looks like he had a solid display defensively as well. Monster.
We lost both corresponding fixtures last season.
Away to Bournemouth.
At home to Southampton(Southampton hadn't lost at O.T since Sir Alex was manager)
We have done well. Especially compared to the shambles we have been over the last few years.
We aren't 'back' but for once the excitement about our team is.
I think either way the oppo are fecked as he has clearly shown himself to be able to handle both scenarios with ease. Standoff him and he will have even more space to create and dictate the game. Try and close him down he can hold you off shield the ball and exploit the space created by a runner with a precise pass or run with the ball while holding players off. The lad literally has everything.
WHAT!! What's wrong with you man?
http://www.fullmatchesandshows.com/...nited-vs-southampton-highlights-full-match-2/
WHAT!! What's wrong with you man?
http://www.fullmatchesandshows.com/...nited-vs-southampton-highlights-full-match-2/
I was talking about the Bayern - Juventus CL tie
Zidane isn't like Iniesta either... Zidane is Zidane. Juve actually started him out as a DM when he moved there and then moved him higher when he became a fouling machine there. Best decision they ever made
Maybe 10% of what Pogba does reminds me of Zidane. Zidane was so unique that I can't think of anyone else like him. The grace, finesse and effortless way he played football is unrivaled in a CM. The best comparison I can give... Van Basten although he was a striker. Van Basten's grace and cheer class was unique. They both looked like they were performing for a ballet as opposed to playing football.
I have more trouble trying to find a player like Pogba in terms of style than I do with finding similar players in the ilk of Zidan. Pogba has a completely different and Unique style its crazy.
- Status