[OneUnited24]

Looking back on it given how poor he was it has to be down to some form of injury or maybe hes just really out of form. Even when hes poor he gets around the pitch well but today he was at walking pace

Mourinho hinted at what's changed in the press conference: Pogba's family members are in his ear telling him Mourinho is misusing him.

Really think i missed that. Do you have a link to it?

 

[Camilo]

What I think Jose is trying to do now is akin to a trainer breaking in a horse. He see's the talent but now that talent has to be moulded into something that can perform. He'll be treated like any other player that gets dropped if they don't do as asked. Let's see how Pogba responds, but something had to be done imo. He will never be this world class player unless he changes the way he sees the game.

I wonder if there's something in this.. Pogba perhaps thinks he's the dogs, and Jose is trying to bring him down to Earth.. A slight battle of wills is going on maybe..

 

[kundalini]

It is unusual to see a player that appears injured, stay on the pitch so long, so I'm a bit reluctant to launch into an extended criticism of his performance.

In terms of his general performance this season, and indeed last season, I think he's been fine against modest opponents but not had the impact that we would hope, or indeed expect, from a £90m player, against top sides.

 

[Manny]

Mentioned this in the other thread, and I'll add the following comments which are that this is heading towards breaking point.

I can't see how Pogba will become a giant under Mourinho's leadership I really can't.

We have to ask ourselves whether we prioritise Mourinho over Pogba/Martial.. normally I'd be pro manager but I genuinely think if we get a more proactive attacking manager, we'd see less wastage of talent, more fluid football and less examples of talented players playing within themselves and us constantly looking over at likes of City/Liverpool with envy.

Great post. Its ridiculous the amount of stick Pogba gets for being in a role he's not suited to, even from some respectable posters. Its been clear as day he needs a #8 role.

And the comments from Jose about all types of midfielders being 'just midfielders', was irresponsible yet it was lapped up on here.

 

[Tapori]

Jose has enabled Pogba and his approach for a while, probably in the hope that with confidence and experience the rest of his game would drop into place. Now though, I think Jose is rightfully getting frustrated that the penny isn't dropping.

I'm a big fan of Pogba, have been since his youth team days. I think Jose obviously is too, and I'm sure he is seeing the same thing in Pogba. He could be something brilliant, but he is trying to go down the wrong path as a player, one that will never see him reach the top level.

What I think Jose is trying to do now is akin to a trainer breaking in a horse. He see's the talent but now that talent has to be moulded into something that can perform. He'll be treated like any other player that gets dropped if they don't do as asked. Let's see how Pogba responds, but something had to be done imo. He will never be this world class player unless he changes the way he sees the game.

Interestingly enough, I think Pogba played with far more maturity at 17 years old. He sat in midfield when needed and he played the game like a young version of prime Paul Scholes, with the occasional flamboyance that would set him apart. Somewhere along the line everything has gone to his head.

Absolutely brilliant post.

 

[Tapori]

That post should be pinned on every page. It's 100% accurate, IMO.

Mourinho hinted at what's changed in the press conference: Pogba's family members are in his ear telling him Mourinho is misusing him.

Much like Mr Shaw's brother?

 

[eat_grass]

Really think i missed that. Do you have a link to it?

Sure thing:



I remembered it differently than it sounds now on re-watching the clip, but I think it's still the same intent because the question was about Pogba's best position. Full clip below:

[5:13]

 

[eat_grass]

Much like Mr Shaw's brother?

Haha. I wouldn't doubt it. Except Pogba's family is smart enough to not publicly post it on Twitter.

 

[Raees]

Much like Mr Shaw's brother?

Dare I say it but this whole Shaw comeback is being very overhyped. I don't even think he's playing that great but because suddenly Jose is claiming he is - half the caf like sheep are claiming he's back and the long term answer to the left back position again when they were writing him off at his behest too.

This was simply a power play by Jose to look the boss even if it meant destroying Shaw and the clubs fortunes (Darmian should never have been playing over him) and we are seeing it again with Pogba. He wants to be seen as right over what is best for the player here which is a shift in formation.

 

[SadlerMUFC]

Pogba has no heart and doesn't have the discipline to play in the midfield of a 4-2-3-1. He is out of position way too often and doesn't put in the effort to get back. If we insist on playing a 4-2-3-1 (which I hate) then I would rather see Pogba in the #10 and have Carrick slot in beside Matic now that he's healthy. I'd also love to see Pogba show up one day in black boots and a "normal" hair cut. It's time to forget about the social media side of things and get serious with his football...

 

[kouroux]

Jose has enabled Pogba and his approach for a while, probably in the hope that with confidence and experience the rest of his game would drop into place. Now though, I think Jose is rightfully getting frustrated that the penny isn't dropping.

I'm a big fan of Pogba, have been since his youth team days. I think Jose obviously is too, and I'm sure he is seeing the same thing in Pogba. He could be something brilliant, but he is trying to go down the wrong path as a player, one that will never see him reach the top level.

What I think Jose is trying to do now is akin to a trainer breaking in a horse. He see's the talent but now that talent has to be moulded into something that can perform. He'll be treated like any other player that gets dropped if they don't do as asked. Let's see how Pogba responds, but something had to be done imo. He will never be this world class player unless he changes the way he sees the game.

Interestingly enough, I think Pogba played with far more maturity at 17 years old. He sat in midfield when needed and he played the game like a young version of prime Paul Scholes, with the occasional flamboyance that would set him apart. Somewhere along the line everything has gone to his head.

Great post. This reminds of how he was giving Rooney starts when he arrived only to slowly realize that Rooney was past it and couldn't be part of his plans anymore. It's not a decision he took directly but he made it in the end. Obviously Pogba is much better than Rooney and much younger too but like you said, maybe frustration is catching up with Mourinho.

Your last paragraph is very interesting and it possibly hints at a player who has had his head turned around into believing he was one of the world's best and he's trying to prove by becoming a more flashy (decisive player). He believes his own hype and probably the people around him aren't helping him, they keep feeding his ego.

 

[roonster09]

You're right. He chose to leave United for Juventus because of lack of playing time, and SAF was fed up with his disrespectful attitude. SAF has more than once commented on Pogba's attitude and mental makeup, and not in a positive way. That's why he said he was happy that Pogba left. So, not shipped out, just helped to the door.

SAF didn't help him to the door either, he was desperate for Pogba to stay but Pogba already made the decision when he changed his agent by Oct-Novemeber.

There are one or two football agents I simply do not like, and Mino Raiola, Paul Pogba's agent is one of them," declares Ferguson.

"I distrusted him from the moment I met him. He became Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s agent while he was playing for Ajax, and eventually he would end up representing Pogba, who was only 18-years-old at the time.

“We had Paul under a three-year contract, and it had a one-year renewal option which we were eager to sign. But Raiola suddenly appeared on the scene and our first meeting was a fiasco.

"He and I were like oil and water. From then on, our goose was cooked because Raiola had been able to ingratiate himself with Paul and his family and the player signed with Juventus.”

The book condemns the role of agents within the game, with Ferguson describing them as "an unsavoury part of football life".

Pogba was rated very very highly by every ManUtd coaching staff and SAF. They all wanted him to stay and did everything possible.

David Gill:

We offered him a very good wage, as well as a very generous fee for his agent.

"I don't want to go into details because it was a complex issue.

"However, what I can say is that we were very disappointed.

"Whenever a player is determined to leave and his contract allows it, there is nothing we can do about it

"I can assure you that we did not hold anything back, financially."

 

[Bobcat]

I honestly thought he was slightly injured or ill, but if that's not the case then yesterday is inexcusable. That orc Shelvey always is brilliant against us simply because he gives 110%. I don't care how talented Pogba is, we cant have superstars lounge about the midfield thinking they are too important to put in an effort

 

[royboy16]

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.iri...between-pogba-and-mourinho-1.3388768?mode=amp

It begins..

 

[Ban]

Which is why we should play with more players in midfield.

I agree but if Pogba needs a midfield 3 to shine all the time then we have a problem imo.

 

[Fergie Steps In]

Great, respectful back and forth debate in this thread right now. I really enjoy reading such a thought provoking discussion!

 

[Canagel]

Those who are slating Pogba should suggest some solutions. What happens going forward? Play him in a 3? Or stick with the current formation and drop him? Or maybe cut our losses in the summer and live to regret it?

 

[Craig Ward]

Another atrocious outing that highlights how poor Pogba is. This "he's world class" brigade surely has to end now.

He has no desire, no football intelligence and no discipline to play in a midfield for us CURRENTLY. He is obviously talented, and can play in this role, but for whatever reason he isn't producing right now.

All this talk of us signing another midfielder to allow us to play a midfield 3 to "free" Pogba up is grating on me a little. Pogba should be able to play this position, he is a 90 million pound midfielder who on current form, cannot play this position.

He believes in his own hype, believes he doesn't have to work hard and track runners and put a shift in for the team. None of these traits belong at Manchester United.

He may well work better in a 3, and that formation may suit the team better (I think we have tactical issue's but this thread is for Pogba alone), and getting a CM in who can actually play this position will be for the better ultimately.

He could be so good, but he plays with no desire or work ethic, he was completely bossed out of the game by Diame and Shelvey, who made him look like he wasn't there. He is so positionally unaware its alarming our "key" midfielder can go missing so often in games.

 

[Stacks]

This thread goes from one extreme to the other, one period he has the propensity to be better than Zidane the next minute, he is a liability.

To me he's just the right player in the wrong tactical setup and under the wrong manager, his talent while not Zidane level is enough to be arguably the best midfielder in the world, and why he isn't fulfilling that potential is down to his mentality and that of the coach's to put simply they both just seem to be the wrong match for each other at this moment in time.

probably the fairest assessment.

 

[roonster09]

https://www.google.ie/amp/s/www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/ken-early-all-not-looking-rosy-between-pogba-and-mourinho-1.3388768?mode=amp

It begins..

It's Ken Early, he hates Jose with passion. So maybe a nothing article.

 

[Jeffthered]

I'm quite surprised that many are pointing the finger at Pogba. He is our best footballer, and his influence on the game is greater than anyone else (aside from De Gea which says a lot unfortunately.....) in a United strip. He plays well, we play well. He is off form, well, the whole world seems to be against him, and it also seems all down to HIM.

This is a huge problem, and I hope that Sanchez can help alleviate this is a way, because no one else can.

Pogba needs to play with more freedom. It is as simple as that. Every other manager would instruct this, instinctively. Mourinho... well, it is all about him. The style of play, the team, the players, the press conferences... miserable, uninspiring, negative. I'm fed up with it. Pogba's performances, in fact, the players performances, reflect the manager.

Mourinho is taking the p*** out of the club, and diverting attention away from his difficulty in moving along with current football styles, and approaches to the game. Watch Pogba for France. Absolutely majestic, and a key player... why? Because the team and manager want to bring the best out of him. Paul Pogba is a player of incredible potential, and you're telling me we cannot accomodate that in this United team? You take off Pogba, and bring on Carrick and Juan Mata? Do me a favour... I love Carrick, and would actually like to see a Carrick/Matic/Pogba three. I would even consider a Matic/Phil Jones/Pogba three (as Jones has more legs and energy).. or Herrera, although he seems to have been struck by the Mourinho second-season curse too. His game has not excelled, he seems unhappy, linked to other clubs.... it's always, always, always, always, always the way with Mourinho. This whole situation is of the manager's making, and he could, if we swallowed a bit of pride, amend things quite easily.

At United, we have a manager who is far too self-indulged to consider these things. Mourinho will be gone by end of next season, and I am just worried about the state of the squad at that time...

 

[Manny]

Those who are slating Pogba should suggest some solutions. What happens going forward? Play him in a 3? Or stick with the current formation and drop him? Or maybe cut our losses in the summer and live to regret it?

I don't know why we haven't tried Sanchez at #6. He's costs a lot and has a high workrate.

 

[Hammondo]

He can’t be played alongside Matic, as a DM, and then be criticised for poor performances. It’s not his position. Why not play to his strengths? He is that good.

He is mainly criticised because he is lazy. Does not matter what you position you play him at, hes not doing close to well enough to keep in the main lineup.

 

[Hammondo]

Pogba doesn't work for your team. He doesn't get stuck in (key issue) and doesn't know how to defend. He also doesn't have the intelligence to lead the team on the pitch. He's got the flashy moves but I've got friends at our five a side team with flashier moves then his. Them alone mean nothing.

He is a limited system player, like Kroos. He can't play in midfield two, he can't do this, he can't do that. Modric is the ultimate midfielder. He can play anything as showed in Madrid, CDM in 3 man midfield or on the side where he usually plays. He can play as playmaker in double pivot or even as a CAM. He's better then Pogba and Kroos combined so no, Pogba would never come close to Modric even if he played at Madrid. He just doesn't have it in him.
De Bruyne works hard for his team. He is a tean player and that alone makes him twice the player Pogba is right now.

This. Great post.

 

[Snafu17]

Love some hyperbole eh lads? Can we not just overreact every time a player/the team hits a bad patch of form? Honestly my favourite thing about this are the Modrić comparisons. I love the guy, he is one of my favourite players, but have we forgotten how his career really went? By the time Luka was 26 (a year older than Pogba) he had an average season at Real. He was dubbed the worst transfer of the year wasn't he? Out of interest I checked out his RedCafe thread at that time and this is what I found on the first two pages

Do not want

Would prefer to keep developing Clev and Ando.

I've been saying that for ages. Has the technical ability but not the mentality to consistantly perform at the very highest level.

He's a good player but not a great player, IMO.

and my personal favourite

He wasn't that good when he was at Spurs.

Never known a player to end up being so ridiculously highly rated for doing so little.

People wanted us to buy him to replace Scholes! Even now Scholes takes less time than him to actually pass the fecking ball.

sounds a bit familiar doesn't it?

Add this to the fact that Modrič has always been seen as an in between player. Not a number 10 and not a regular CM. If you really want to get the best out of him he'll need other players around him that are more defensively capable. Now, Modrić obviously improved and players develop at different rates. There's no guarantee that Pogba will ever mature and reach his level. But lets get some perspective. Most players at 25 are not complete packages who will dominate every game. They do occasionally hit some patches of awful form. Some struggle to impact the big games regularly. Despite everyone's efforts to forget this every time a players in the spotlight struggles this just happens.

Pogba is a wonderful player. We know that he can impose himself on games because he has done that multiple times playing for Manchester United. We know he can play in a midfield of 2 because he has done that multiple time for Manchester United. He's currently in awful form. The magically consistent player that maintains the same level of performance every single game, 18 to 40 years old, does not exist. He probably will be out of form a few more times during his career. There's no need to rewrite history and label him as a limited selfish luxury player, that only cares about himself and will never be able to reach a higher level never mind be the star player of league winning side, every single time that happens.

 

[Hammondo]

Love some hyperbole eh lads? Can we not just overreact every time a player/the team hits a bad patch of form? Honestly my favourite thing about this are the Modrić comparisons. I love the guy, he is one of my favourite players, but have we forgotten how his career really went? By the time Luka was 26 (a year older than Pogba) he had an average season at Real. He was dubbed the worst transfer of the year wasn't he? Out of interest I checked out his RedCafe thread at that time and this is what I found on the first two pages







and my personal favourite



sounds a bit familiar doesn't it?

Add this to the fact that Modrič has always been seen as an in between player. Not a number 10 and not a regular CM. If you really want to get the best out of him he'll need other players around him that are more defensively capable. Now, Modrić obviously improved and players develop at different rates. There's no guarantee that Pogba will ever mature and reach his level. But lets get some perspective. Most players at 25 are not complete packages who will dominate every game. They do occasionally hit some patches of awful form. Some struggle to impact the big games regularly. Despite everyone's efforts to forget this every time a players in the spotlight struggles this just happens.

Pogba is a wonderful players. We know that he can impose himself on games because he has done that multiple times playing for Manchester United. We know he can play in a midfield of 2 because he has done that multiple time for Manchester United. He's currently in awful form. The magically consistent player that maintains the same level of performance every single game, 18 to 40 years old, does not exist. He probably will be out of form a few more times during his career. There's no need to rewrite history and label him as a limited selfish luxury player, that only cares about himself and will never be able to reach a higher level, every single time that happens.

Modric was never lazy, he always played for the team, and showed intelligence from a much earlier age.

 

[Smores]

I'm quite surprised that many are pointing the finger at Pogba. He is our best footballer, and his influence on the game is greater than anyone else (aside from De Gea which says a lot unfortunately.....) in a United strip. He plays well, we play well. He is off form, well, the whole world seems to be against him, and it also seems all down to HIM.

This is a huge problem, and I hope that Sanchez can help alleviate this is a way, because no one else can.

Pogba needs to play with more freedom. It is as simple as that. Every other manager would instruct this, instinctively. Mourinho... well, it is all about him. The style of play, the team, the players, the press conferences... miserable, uninspiring, negative. I'm fed up with it. Pogba's performances, in fact, the players performances, reflect the manager.

Mourinho is taking the p*** out of the club, and diverting attention away from his difficulty in moving along with current football styles, and approaches to the game. Watch Pogba for France. Absolutely majestic, and a key player... why? Because the team and manager want to bring the best out of him. Paul Pogba is a player of incredible potential, and you're telling me we cannot accomodate that in this United team? You take off Pogba, and bring on Carrick and Juan Mata? Do me a favour... I love Carrick, and would actually like to see a Carrick/Matic/Pogba three. I would even consider a Matic/Phil Jones/Pogba three (as Jones has more legs and energy).. or Herrera, although he seems to have been struck by the Mourinho second-season curse too. His game has not excelled, he seems unhappy, linked to other clubs.... it's always, always, always, always, always the way with Mourinho. This whole situation is of the manager's making, and he could, if we swallowed a bit of pride, amend things quite easily.

At United, we have a manager who is far too self-indulged to consider these things. Mourinho will be gone by end of next season, and I am just worried about the state of the squad at that time...

That entire post boils down to "i like Pogba so I'm going to blame the manager"

You'd think he'd been entirely mishandled and had never put a good game in for us reading that.

In reality he's going through bad form, stinking form and the only excuse is he should be playing in a 3 rather than a 2? That's just clearly bullshit.

Incredibly childish how people can't accept when their favourite players are in bad form.

 

[limerickcitykid]

Standing 15 yards up the field watching while the opposition attack into our box has nothing to do with form. The problem isn't form, the problem is him seemingly thinking he can pick and choose what he wants to do out there.

 

[Cassidy]

That entire post boils down to "i like Pogba so I'm going to blame the manager"

You'd think he'd been entirely mishandled and had never put a good game in for us reading that.

In reality he's going through bad form, stinking form and the only excuse is he should be playing in a 3 rather than a 2? That's just clearly bullshit.

Incredibly childish how people can't accept when their favourite players are in bad form.

Agree

 

[Jim Beam]

Ignoring the main issue that he's started to walk around the pitch not caring much, this whole talk about him never being great in midfield 2 ignores that apart from Everton game he was piss poor when playing in a midfield 3 with different players (Chelsea 4-0, Liverpool 1-1 and the worst player on the pitch, Real Madrid 2-1, Stoke 2-2). We lost the midfield battle most of the time and he didn't do much going forward with a more freedom. I really do hope we try him again in 4-3-3 for the extended period of time, but I think that the problem is a little bit bigger than just that. Pogba in that set up shows the same flaws as in current system. Rare moments of brilliance and disappearing for large parts of the game.

So, either we have a problem with inability to put a cohesive attacking plan in our game from which Pogba suffers or he is still unable to carry the weight of the team on his shoulder despite the set up he plays in. Or, maybe and most likely imo it's the combination of both of these.
And before someone says Juventus, it was way easier in Juventus as he shared that weight with many players and Pogba's game wasn't so highlighted as here. He was always looked in Juventus as a highly talented player, but playing more with some flashes of brilliance and not brilliant performances throughout 90 minutes. And yes, there were question marks about his mentality.

 

[Jim Beam]

Watch Pogba for France. Absolutely majestic, and a key player... why? Because the team and manager want to bring the best out of him.

Pogba is mostly underwhelming for France. Don't know which France matches did you watch where he was absolutely majestic and a key player.

 

[Synco]

Love some hyperbole eh lads? Can we not just overreact every time a player/the team hits a bad patch of form? Honestly my favourite thing about this are the Modrić comparisons. I love the guy, he is one of my favourite players, but have we forgotten how his career really went? By the time Luka was 26 (a year older than Pogba) he had an average season at Real. He was dubbed the worst transfer of the year wasn't he? Out of interest I checked out his RedCafe thread at that time and this is what I found on the first two pages

(...)

sounds a bit familiar doesn't it?

Add this to the fact that Modrič has always been seen as an in between player. Not a number 10 and not a regular CM. If you really want to get the best out of him he'll need other players around him that are more defensively capable. Now, Modrić obviously improved and players develop at different rates. There's no guarantee that Pogba will ever mature and reach his level. But lets get some perspective. Most players at 25 are not complete packages who will dominate every game. They do occasionally hit some patches of awful form. Some struggle to impact the big games regularly. Despite everyone's efforts to forget this every time a players in the spotlight struggles this just happens.

Pogba is a wonderful player. We know that he can impose himself on games because he has done that multiple times playing for Manchester United. We know he can play in a midfield of 2 because he has done that multiple time for Manchester United. He's currently in awful form. The magically consistent player that maintains the same level of performance every single game, 18 to 40 years old, does not exist. He probably will be out of form a few more times during his career. There's no need to rewrite history and label him as a limited selfish luxury player, that only cares about himself and will never be able to reach a higher level never mind be the star player of league winning side, every single time that happens.

It sure does. I can add that most of what is said about Pogba here is - word for word, it's baffling - what has been said about Toni Kroos by a majority of German football fans for many years. Prior to the WC 2014 and move to Real, and (in steadily decreasing quantity) also well into his stint there. All three are different individuals and CM types of course, but that's some good company of overrated luxury players lacking the mentality to be world class.

Great post overall.

 

[roonster09]

Love some hyperbole eh lads? Can we not just overreact every time a player/the team hits a bad patch of form? Honestly my favourite thing about this are the Modrić comparisons. I love the guy, he is one of my favourite players, but have we forgotten how his career really went? By the time Luka was 26 (a year older than Pogba) he had an average season at Real. He was dubbed the worst transfer of the year wasn't he? Out of interest I checked out his RedCafe thread at that time and this is what I found on the first two pages







and my personal favourite



sounds a bit familiar doesn't it?

Add this to the fact that Modrič has always been seen as an in between player. Not a number 10 and not a regular CM. If you really want to get the best out of him he'll need other players around him that are more defensively capable. Now, Modrić obviously improved and players develop at different rates. There's no guarantee that Pogba will ever mature and reach his level. But lets get some perspective. Most players at 25 are not complete packages who will dominate every game. They do occasionally hit some patches of awful form. Some struggle to impact the big games regularly. Despite everyone's efforts to forget this every time a players in the spotlight struggles this just happens.

Pogba is a wonderful player. We know that he can impose himself on games because he has done that multiple times playing for Manchester United. We know he can play in a midfield of 2 because he has done that multiple time for Manchester United. He's currently in awful form. The magically consistent player that maintains the same level of performance every single game, 18 to 40 years old, does not exist. He probably will be out of form a few more times during his career. There's no need to rewrite history and label him as a limited selfish luxury player, that only cares about himself and will never be able to reach a higher level never mind be the star player of league winning side, every single time that happens.

Think anyone would believe if anyone said those are from Pogba's thread.

 

[Water Melon]

Well, if problem is Pogba, than it is not SAF, Moyes, Louis... It is Mou's decision...

 

[Loon]

I keep seeing that shot of him in the dugout at the weekend. It looked like he was on the verge of tears. Certainly looked like there was a lot going on in that head.

I hope we get that third midfielder and he gets a fair shot. Hope he’s not out for long either.

 

[Trizy]

Everytime he thinks he got fouled, he stops playing altogether and moans at a ref. Proper prima donna behavior this.

I've noticed this recently too. Is it just me or is it a new thing? I can't remember him doing that earlier in the season, usually he'd lose the ball and break his balls to try win it back. I dunno is he just getting too tied up in his own hype that he cannot believe someone took the ball off him without fouling him.

 

[Still ill]

Look, we've all grown up supporting a club where there was a natural intolerance for anyone who wouldn't get their finger out. We'll tolerate periods of bad form once we see desire to affect games. He needs to get his finger out.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Love some hyperbole eh lads? Can we not just overreact every time a player/the team hits a bad patch of form? Honestly my favourite thing about this are the Modrić comparisons. I love the guy, he is one of my favourite players, but have we forgotten how his career really went? By the time Luka was 26 (a year older than Pogba) he had an average season at Real. He was dubbed the worst transfer of the year wasn't he? Out of interest I checked out his RedCafe thread at that time and this is what I found on the first two pages







and my personal favourite



sounds a bit familiar doesn't it?

Add this to the fact that Modrič has always been seen as an in between player. Not a number 10 and not a regular CM. If you really want to get the best out of him he'll need other players around him that are more defensively capable. Now, Modrić obviously improved and players develop at different rates. There's no guarantee that Pogba will ever mature and reach his level. But lets get some perspective. Most players at 25 are not complete packages who will dominate every game. They do occasionally hit some patches of awful form. Some struggle to impact the big games regularly. Despite everyone's efforts to forget this every time a players in the spotlight struggles this just happens.

Pogba is a wonderful player. We know that he can impose himself on games because he has done that multiple times playing for Manchester United. We know he can play in a midfield of 2 because he has done that multiple time for Manchester United. He's currently in awful form. The magically consistent player that maintains the same level of performance every single game, 18 to 40 years old, does not exist. He probably will be out of form a few more times during his career. There's no need to rewrite history and label him as a limited selfish luxury player, that only cares about himself and will never be able to reach a higher level never mind be the star player of league winning side, every single time that happens.

That’s a very good post. Although, to be fair, a lot of the frustration with Pogba is a simple lack of effort (commentators said near the end of the first half that he had done less sprints than any other player on the pitch) and that’s much harder to forgive than simply not playing well.

But yeah, CMs do tend to age like fine wine. Pogba’s best years are ahead of him and he’s clearly improved from his first season to his second. We’ll just have to hope he finds a way to get over his “blip” before our CL games.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

He needs to sort himself out.

If your injured, get yourself off the feckin' pitch... if you're not, then get your finger out and do your feckin' job. Don't just wonder around the pitch and half-ass it.

 

[edgar allan]

When he leaves and starts tearing it up at Madrid/Barcelona this forum will be an interesting read. We aint signing him for a 3rd time that's for sure so I hope things workout one way or the other.

It would suit him better playing for Barcelona as he would

That’s a very good post. Although, to be fair, a lot of the frustration with Pogba is a simple lack of effort (commentators said near the end of the first half that he had done less sprints than any other player on the pitch) and that’s much harder to forgive than simply not playing well.

But yeah, CMs do tend to age like fine wine. Pogba’s best years are ahead of him and he’s clearly improved from his first season to his second. We’ll just have to hope he finds a way to get over his “blip” before our CL games.

I don't see that clearly at all. He had a great run at the start of the season, mostly against bottom half teams at home. Since then, not so good.