[Stacks]

People talk about how he'd perform under Guardiola. I suspect Guardiola would never wanna work with him, he's canned a big player like Touré for them who was pretty much a highlight reel for them with his long range goals. Guardiola likes players who submit to his cause and directives, "puppies" like Zlatan used to call them. I don't see Pogba being that player.

I said before its a match made in hell. Pep can't have a player who needs to be "free from any shackles" except Messi. Even Iniesta had to work hard and in tandem with Xavi like a duo. I dont' recall complete freedom. different strokes different folks

 

[kouroux]

I said before its a match made in hell. Pep can't have a player who needs to be "free from any shackles" except Messi. Even Iniesta had to work hard and in tandem with Xavi like a duo. I dont' recall complete freedom. different strokes different folks

Even Messi, before he was moved centrally, was another player in their system of pressing and retrieving the ball fast. He was very efficient at that until it was realized that he was even better playing more advanced and with extremely reduced defensive duties. Special circumstances are given to special (productive) players indeed.

 

[engulfing]

The midfield was bad all game. It was bad before he came on and it was bad when he was on. We could have easily conceded before pogba got on the pitch. It was just a bad game all around for the entire team with the exception of Lukaku and maybe bailey

Not really we were playing mourinho style cagy football Fellaini was doing a good job getting up to win the long balls yet getting back to defend in midfield. This is the way mou plays in cup matches, he gets to create chances without giving up many openings unless someone makes a mistake.

 

[Ludens the Red]

I doubt theyd fall apart if anything hed shine because they have more of the ball and actually makes runs that would give pogba something to pass to.

And what of the pressing? the tacking? the tracking back? the running around a lot? the incisive passing? You think city are 16 points clear because their players make runs? Pogba would never ever ever work under Pep Guardiola, he's possibly the most un-Guardiola player you could get.

People talk about how he'd perform under Guardiola. I suspect Guardiola would never wanna work with him, he's canned a big player like Touré for them who was pretty much a highlight reel for them with his long range goals. Guardiola likes players who submit to his cause and directives, "puppies" like Zlatan used to call them. I don't see Pogba being that player.

ditto

 

[Vilev]

He is playing shite, probably not really happy with Jose, we have no cover with Ander being injured and also actually looking awful and Fellaini being well Fellaini.
All in all it's good riddance in a way. Pogba was tipped to be one the best players a couple of years back. Now he is not even in the PL best 10 or 20.

 

[criticalanalysis]

People talk about how he'd perform under Guardiola. I suspect Guardiola would never wanna work with him, he's canned a big player like Touré for them who was pretty much a highlight reel for them with his long range goals. Guardiola likes players who submit to his cause and directives, "puppies" like Zlatan used to call them. I don't see Pogba being that player.

I said before its a match made in hell. Pep can't have a player who needs to be "free from any shackles" except Messi. Even Iniesta had to work hard and in tandem with Xavi like a duo. I dont' recall complete freedom. different strokes different folks

That wouldn't really follow the narrative when he was playing for Juve and currently for France though does it?

He's as much a team player as your average footballer, which is decent enough. Pogba has been very underwhelming and poor for Utd but the coaching from Mourinho has been absolutely awful.

No tactics and direction means basically that, no direction on the field and players don't hold themselves accountable because there's nothing to compare to.

Sure deep down he might be inherently 'seflish' but that doesn't mean he can't play in a team and put the shift in. There's absolutely a middle ground between your Milners (100% graft and effort) and Neymars (superstar ego).

 

[kouroux]

That wouldn't really follow the narrative when he was playing for Juve and currently for France though does it?

He's as much a team player as your average footballer, which is decent enough. Pogba has been very underwhelming and poor for Utd but the coaching from Mourinho has been absolutely awful.

No tactics and direction means basically that, no direction on the field and players don't hold themselves accountable because there's nothing to compare to.

Sure deep down he might be inherently 'seflish' but that doesn't mean he can't play in a team and put the shift in. There's absolutely a middle ground between your Milners (100% graft and effort) and Neymars (superstar ego).

Tbh he's been very underwhelming and poor in general for the national team too and when I say it I only reduce it to since he's at Man United. What he used to do at Juventus is almost irrelevant because he wasn't hyped and driven crazy by the marketing/media machine the same he has since his arrival at United.
Since he's joined the club, it's been a bit of a circus and it's gotten to his head, he clearly thinks he is better than he is.

 

[Nipower888]

Not really we were playing mourinho style cagy football Fellaini was doing a good job getting up to win the long balls yet getting back to defend in midfield. This is the way mou plays in cup matches, he gets to create chances without giving up many openings unless someone makes a mistake.

They were killing us in the first half up until the last five minutes. They got plenty of opportunities that they wasted. Fellaini was out of position so many times and they had plenty of counter attacking opportunities They pretty much dominated the first half. It was a matter of time before they scored. like he didnt have a bad game but we were just bad all around before he got on and after.

 

[Ludens the Red]

That wouldn't really follow the narrative when he was playing for Juve and currently for France though does it?

He's as much a team player as your average footballer, which is decent enough. Pogba has been very underwhelming and poor for Utd but the coaching from Mourinho has been absolutely awful.

No tactics and direction means basically that, no direction on the field and players don't hold themselves accountable because there's nothing to compare to.

Sure deep down he might be inherently 'seflish' but that doesn't mean he can't play in a team and put the shift in. There's absolutely a middle ground between your Milners (100% graft and effort) and Neymars (superstar ego).

Juventus under Conte played nothing like City do, in fact they were far more United under Mourinho like, dunno about France though. Mourinho cannot coach a player into not being half arsed which is what Pogba appears to be a lot of the time.

 

[engulfing]

We need another quality midfield to compete with pogba and prepare for the worst case where we may have to sell him. Milinkovic-savic is a must sign now in my opinion.

 

[breakout67]

And what of the pressing? the tacking? the tracking back? the running around a lot? the incisive passing? You think city are 16 points clear because their players make runs? Pogba would never ever ever work under Pep Guardiola, he's possibly the most un-Guardiola player you could get.

Yep, Pogba is a 'luxury' player, evidenced by the fact that his best form came in a slow league, with multiple players around him to do the basics for him.

At Juventus

-Pirlo/Marchisio would do the thinking
-Vidal/Khedira would do the running

To be honest, the comparisons to Zidane are scarily accurate, an incredibly difficult player to fit in the team due to his limitations, but he is so talented that you just want to play him.

 

[engulfing]

They were killing us in the first half up until the last five minutes. They got plenty of opportunities that they wasted. Fellaini was out of position so many times and they had plenty of counter attacking opportunities They pretty much dominated the first half. It was a matter of time before they scored. like he didnt have a bad game but we were just bad all around before he got on and after.

They got plenty of shots from low probability angles. You can shoot 20 times from there and you'll probably get half a goal. This is the plan. Get use to it because that's how mou plays. We got the best chance of the half which Fellaini couldn't convert. If he did we'd probably see out the game. First to score tends to win these kind of game which is why mourinhos style is the correct approach.

 

[Nipower888]

And what of the pressing? the tacking? the tracking back? the running around a lot? the incisive passing? You think city are 16 points clear because their players make runs? Pogba would never ever ever work under Pep Guardiola, he's possibly the most un-Guardiola player you could get.
pogba runs around alot and pogba tracks back. He doesn't run around like a mad man but that doesnt me he is lazy. He doesnt have high acceleration or agility so running around like a mad man makes no sense for him anyway. Guardiola would love to have him. Fellaini is the most un-Guadiola player ever.

 

[Infordin]

Banega and N’Zonzi have given this guy a proper tonking in both games.

 

[El Jefe]

Hurts me to see him like this. He's my favourite player at the club and everyone knows he's capable of so much more than the shite he's serving up now.

Truly baffling state of affairs.

 

[gibers]

Hurts me to see him like this. He's my favourite player at the club and everyone knows he's capable of so much more than the shite he's serving up now.

Truly baffling state of affairs.

Not really. The team is disorganised when attacking so he has no structure to focus his passes in.

The rest of the top teams City, Spurs, Chelsea and Liverpool all know the positions they should take up when attacking.

That is non existent because Mou still coaches like we are in 2004

Put Pogba in City and he would be a monster.

Remember, this is the same manager that had Modric voted the worst signing in laliga because of his fecking system.

 

[Minimalist]

Hurts me to see him like this. He's my favourite player at the club and everyone knows he's capable of so much more than the shite he's serving up now.

Truly baffling state of affairs.

Really?

 

[Ludens the Red]

Yep, Pogba is a 'luxury' player, evidenced by the fact that his best form came in a slow league, with multiple players around him to do the basics for him.

At Juventus

-Pirlo/Marchisio would do the thinking
-Vidal/Khedira would do the running

To be honest, the comparisons to Zidane are scarily accurate, an incredibly difficult player to fit in the team due to his limitations, but he is so talented that you just want to play him.

It's looking more and more like this. It's becoming an Ozil at Arsenal situation where it's quite clear he just cannot be trusted with the basics of being a responsible midfielder both attacking and defensively. Unfortunately we do not have enough quality in midfield to get away with Pogba being a luxury.

pogba runs around alot and pogba tracks back. He doesn't run around like a mad man but that doesnt me he is lazy. He doesnt have high acceleration or agility so running around like a mad man makes no sense for him anyway. Guardiola would love to have him. Fellaini is the most un-Guadiola player ever.

His workrate is low, his workrate is simply not anywhere near the level it would need to be at to play under Guardiola. You think Pep would be picking this guy over Silva and De Bruyne. Nobody is asking him to run around like a mad mad, but he's too careless and irresponsible on the pitch at the moment and it's not workable, especially as Matic now seems to be running out of steam.

 

[Nipower888]

They got plenty of shots from low probability angles. You can shoot 20 times from there and you'll probably get half a goal. This is the plan. Get use to it because that's how mou plays. We got the best chance of the half which Fellaini couldn't convert. If he did we'd probably see out the game. First to score tends to win these kind of game which is why mourinhos style is the correct approach.

When you give a team plenty of opportunities to attack eventually they will get it right which they did. The chance fellaini got was a fairly routine save for the keeper and it wasnt even the best chance we got. We are better than sevilla in a game where we are at home. All we needed to do was win. We should not conserve and hope to score one that will take us through. We should be aggressive on the attacking forefront showing them why we are man united. There's no excuse to play the way we did. Our approach was terrible and it cost us the game. They arent barcelona.

 

[Stadjer]

Really?

why wouldnt he be? He, Martial and Sanchez (if he get his form) are the only players who can do something special during a match...

 

[Minimalist]

why wouldnt he be? He, Martial and Sanchez (if he get his form) are the only players who can do something special during a match...

Dunno. He's a bit of a let down in all honesty. Not saying anyone should hate the lad or anything but not feeling much fondness for him either.

 

[Nipower888]

I messed my reply up

 

[reddaz71]

Pogba is not currently good enough to lace Mctominays boots,simply does not warrant a place in the side!

 

[Nipower888]

edit: i accidently quoted myself

 

[Nipower888]

It's looking more and more like this. It's becoming an Ozil at Arsenal situation where it's quite clear he just cannot be trusted with the basics of being a responsible midfielder both attacking and defensively. Unfortunately we do not have enough quality in midfield to get away with Pogba being a luxury.

His workrate is low, his workrate is simply not anywhere near the level it would need to be at to play under Guardiola. You think Pep would be picking this guy over Silva and De Bruyne. Nobody is asking him to run around like a mad mad, but he's too careless and irresponsible on the pitch at the moment and it's not workable, especially as Matic now seems to be running out of steam.

Im not gonna say hed pick him over sliva and de bruyne but his work rate isnt as bad as you are making it out to be. Like im not saying he hasnt been bad or he cant work much harder but its ridiculous how off the reservations the criticisms are. Like it isnt black and white. Theres an inbetween. Its like people have completely lost it and say hes the worst.

 

[Festive Sandvich]

First time I think I've ever given below a 3 rating, and he got a 1. Looked like he was kicking around on a beach, surreal performance.

 

[breakout67]

It's looking more and more like this. It's becoming an Ozil at Arsenal situation where it's quite clear he just cannot be trusted with the basics of being a responsible midfielder both attacking and defensively. Unfortunately we do not have enough quality in midfield to get away with Pogba being a luxury.

Yes exactly, I am actually heavily against building the team specifically for Pogba, because he isn't good enough at footballing fundamentals to justify it. I felt more confident with McTominay in the team, because he would work for the team, and we were actually better with Fellaini on the pitch (but he looked like he was out of gas which is understandable)

I would want another midfielder to come in who can read the game better to build the team around.

 

[Djemba-Djemba]

I can't get over how bad he was.

He's put in two of the worst performances I've ever seen from a Utd player in Newcastle away and tonight and he's done it inside a month.

Anyone wanting us to build a team around is mad, he's nowhere near good enough for that.

 

[bosnian_red]

I think he might have lost faith in Mourinho a month or so ago. His effort in games and how he's played in them just seems different. Mourinho trusts him nowhere near as much, so there must be something there. He's way better then this.

Saying that though, at his best he's still wildly overrated. A luxury player if I've ever seen one. Wish we didn't sign him and we managed to bring in a proper quality midfielder that summer. One that doesn't need the perfect system to get him to actually perform. I can't blame the players too much these days because I think it's firmly on Mourinho, but Pogba is one of the very few who flat out looks like he doesn't care on the pitch.

 

[Ronaldo's ego]

What Pogba has in talent he lacks in professionalism. He needs to stop playing like he’s having a kick about with his mates and start playing like a professional at one of the biggest clubs. Tactical awareness, decision making, game management and desire all seem to be lacking. I’m not sure if he’s just woefully out of form or being petulant because he’s not playing in a system that suits him, in which case would be very unprofessional in itself. Whatever it is he really needs to get his head straight because it looks like he’s lost at the moment

 

[Axkiko]

He had an awful game. No one can deny that.

Actually I believe a good manager, a good mentor will get the best of Pogba. Misused by Mourinho thousand times, not having suitable tactics and instruction for him. His confidence hits low and misplaced lots of passes. Obviously Pogba needs to examines himself. His performance was nowhere near his quality.

 

[Borden]

No effort, no intensity, no desire. Just laziness and sloppiness.

What the hell Paul.

 

[Renegade]

I’m fairly sure his quick, but he looks so slow when his jogging back into defence. His confidence has been shot, let’s not forget how good he was 1st half of season.

 

[breakout67]

He had an awful game. No one can deny that.

Actually I believe a good manager, a good mentor will get the best of Pogba. Misused by Mourinho thousand times, not having suitable tactics and instruction for him. His confidence hits low and misplaced lots of passes. Obviously Pogba needs to examines himself. His performance was nowhere near his quality.

I don't really buy that Pogba was being 'misused'. He was quite good in the 1st half of the season, and the expectation was that once he got over his injury he would move up a level and really stamp hos authority on the team.

But what has happened in 2018, is that Pogba has basically stopped trying, except for that one 25 minute cameo against Huddersfield, which was the first game he was benched.

His response to being dropped is not what I expected from a top player.

 

[Festive Sandvich]

On his day, he is a special player, but that day is rare. If ours is a cake that needs less icing and more sponge, Paul is currently the candles.

 

[izec]

He wants out. That was a big feck you to us and Jose. Clearly trying his best to get sold

 

[Red Pavan]

Yep, Pogba is a 'luxury' player, evidenced by the fact that his best form came in a slow league, with multiple players around him to do the basics for him.

At Juventus

-Pirlo/Marchisio would do the thinking
-Vidal/Khedira would do the running

To be honest, the comparisons to Zidane are scarily accurate, an incredibly difficult player to fit in the team due to his limitations, but he is so talented that you just want to play him.

If Pogba had half as much desire and professionalism as Zidane, he could still become a world class player.

Comparing Pogba to Zidane at this stage is doing an injustice to one of the great players of all time.

 

[izec]

SAF knew man. He knew.

People said it was one of his biggest mistakes. It would had been a masterstroke if we got a fee for him. Losing him on a free was a pity.

 

[Full bodied red]

Real Madrid, eh ??

Just assuming that they'd have him, which isn't a given after what not just us but Madrid also have seen past few months, maybe a straight swap for Isco ??

 

[Bobski]

Comparing Pogba to Zidane, seriously? Zidane controlled games, made the right decision, played simple when necessary, had the best feel for managing a game of any player in that era. Pogba is closer to someone like Dugarry than Zidane, superb talent who is very difficult to find a role for within a functioning team.