[BusbyMalone]

I remember Rooney coming off the bench years ago against Crawley Town at home in the cup and he put in a similar level of performance. He clearly could not be arsed to come on against some non league side and he played like that too. He was dreadful.

Now I still think that what Rooney did was unacceptable but Pogba did the same thing yesterday but in a fecking Champions League knockout game that was still 0-0 and totally in the balance. Like he felt it was insulting to have to come on and he couldn't give two fecks. There has clearly been some sort of fall out with Mourinho and it's like Pogba has gone into sabotage mode.

If we could get our money back in the Summer I'd seriously consider selling him.

Yeah, and the worry is, is that he's been doing this for some time now. This nonchalance on the pitch has been a recurring theme. Like you say, it's one thing to do it against a non league side in a shitty cup (still completely unacceptable, of course) but when he came on yesterday and did it...lost for words.

There is definitely something going on with him and Jose and he doesn't seem to be taking it well. In terms of selling him? I'm not sure. He was very good for us at the beginning of the season. Maybe up until the Arsenal game where he got sent off? Top of my head i can't remember when he really started to slide. He's a really talented guy, and i know everyone says that about him, but when he's on form he improves us immeasurably. BUT, i'm not sure how compatible he is with Mourinho.

 

[Laurentiu amt]

The same professionalism which went missing when he wasn't prepared to fight under Jose and decided to seek pastures anew? why didn't he knuckle down stay at the club and try to prove the manager wrong and break his way into the side? there was also criticism about the way he trained.

KDB put his own career first and rightfully so. Yes he might be twice the player that Pogba is, and I do not support Pogba effectively going on strike but it is what it is, and as far as I can see the way Jose has mistreated certain players, he's getting a taste of his own medicine and he is to some extent to blame for some of Pogba's pathetic performances as he was also to blame for the pathetic performance of most of the entire team last night. It is a manager's job to motivate the players, if you are unable to do it in a home CL knockout tie.. there is something severely wrong with your management of the side.

If a player doesn't motivate himself for a CL knockout phase match at home.. there is something severly wrong with his head.

 

[kouroux]

Obviously Sanchez arriving has affected him badly. He isn't the top dog anymore and instead of relishing playing alongside a player of that caliber, he is sulking.

He should use this as a way to show to Mourinho that he is still his best player but maybe that is too much hassle for him.

 

[Raees]

If a player doesn't motivate himself for a CL knockout phase match at home.. there is something severly wrong with his head.

Absolutely. Even the Real Madrid players who absolutely hated Jose's guts, were reported to get together and put the needs of the team first and get through their SF ties. even though they knew if they won.. the manager would get to show off, and they still put their own ego's aside for the good of the club.

For me Pogba has failed to do that, so trust me.. If he was to be binned, I would not miss him at all. Just saying, there is a possibility that Jose must have properly pissed him off for him to seriously not give a feck anymore.. the performances recently, the missing of games, training sessions.. his head seems to have gone.

If everyone else was at the races, we are playing brilliantly.. then the manager is absolved of blame. Clearly however, that is not the case.

 

[Zoo]

Obviously Sanchez arriving has affected him badly. He isn't the top dog anymore and instead of relishing playing alongside a player of that caliber, he is sulking.

He should use this as a way to show to Mourinho that he is still his best player but maybe that is too much hassle for him.

He wasn't top dog last season, Zlatan was. It wasn't a problem then.

I do think Raiola has something to do with this though.

 

[kouroux]

I remember Rooney coming off the bench years ago against Crawley Town at home in the cup and he put in a similar level of performance. He clearly could not be arsed to come on against some non league side and he played like that too. He was dreadful.

Now I still think that what Rooney did was unacceptable but Pogba did the same thing yesterday but in a fecking Champions League knockout game that was still 0-0 and totally in the balance. Like he felt it was insulting to have to come on and he couldn't give two fecks. There has clearly been some sort of fall out with Mourinho and it's like Pogba has gone into sabotage mode.

If we could get our money back in the Summer I'd seriously consider selling him.

Sadly no club would be dumb enough to pay the same amount for him when he is underperforming like this. I would also be happy if a similar fee came for him and he is sold tbh

 

[kouroux]

He wasn't top dog last season, Zlatan was. It wasn't a problem then.

I do think Raiola has something to do with this though.

That is different though, he came at the same time as Zlatan and Zlatan has earned the respect of almost every single player in the world. The signing of Sanchez can be interpreted as United needing someone else to lift them even higher since there is no one capable of that.

 

[Laurentiu amt]

Absolutely. Even the Real Madrid players who absolutely hated Jose's guts, were reported to get together and put the needs of the team first and get through their SF ties. even though they knew if they won.. the manager would get to show off, and they still put their own ego's aside for the good of the club.

For me Pogba has failed to do that, so trust me.. If he was to be binned, I would not miss him at all. Just saying, there is a possibility that Jose must have properly pissed him off for him to seriously not give a feck anymore.. the performances recently, the missing of games, training sessions.. his head seems to have gone.

Yeah I agree that there's something wrong there. I mean the way he started the season and now going on such a bad patch of form, it's visible.

I don't think it has anything to do with Sanches coming tho, I think Jose might have had some of his usual rants at him and it might have affected him a bit. Well not a bit because he doesn't even run on the pitch anymore but hey, who knows.

Sad that he's not the only one, there are a few more that look uncomfortable on the pitch and just strolling along.

 

[dirkey]

I totally agree mate. But he wasn’t like this before his injury. Something has happened behind the scenes. He looks like he has lost all motivation under Mourinho.

Well, that's on him then, in my opinion. You're still a professional. Be a professional. I don't always agree with what my manager wants me to do. But I do it, and I do it to the best of my ability.

 

[TheFlagStaysDown]

He was actually not that bad next to Matic at the beginning of the season and pretty decent next to Herrera last season, but yeah Herrera is injured for a while and Matic has no legs to cover that much, but I htink now it's the confidence /attitude problem other than that pogba couldnt play here or there. Make him fecking work hard, but he rather fancies change his haircut ever second week

 

[dirkey]

I'm as critical of this guy as the next man. And I think his lack of professionalism and effort right now justify a multi-game stint on the bench, 4 or 5 games. But I don't think selling him is the answer either. The guy is super talented.

 

[Sandikan]

It looks like something is bothering him, and it is worth remembering that not a huge amount of time has passed since he lost his father.

So I would be keen to avoid being overly harsh when it comes to criticising his apparent lack of motivation etc.

Something in between that, and a niggly injury that doesn't feel quite right could well be it.

Hopefully he moves through this phase and teaches a lot of people a lesson for doubting him

 

[redIndianDevil]

But Sanchez is the one who's caused the unbalance and disruption to the team since his arrival. Pogba has been the main one who's been affected by Sanchez being shoehorned into the team. All the stats prove this. Pogba was doing just fine before he came so why should Sanchez be given leeway when we have sacrificed the teams balance to accodomate him and he's not performing?

Because you know Sanchez runs around like a madman after the ball, I've never seen Sanchez recovering the ball with his running but for majority of the fans that is okay it seems.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Because you know Sanchez runs around like a madman after the ball, I've never seen Sanchez recovering the ball with his running but for majority of the fans that is okay it seems.

Do you watch the games with a paper bag on your head?

 

[redIndianDevil]

You're being very disingenuous to Kevin De Bruyne here. He's twice the player Pogba is and the key reason for that is the application and professionalism . De Bruyne has always been a workhorse and he's taken it up a notch under Guardiola.
He was shunted out to the right wing by Pellegrini a lot but he never sulked despite not liking it. There was never any downturn in his input. He adapted his game, accepted his managers choice and is arguably one of the best crossers of a football in the world.
Mourinho is not a saint and there's things he's not getting right but he's absolutely not to blame for Pogbas pathetic performances.

De Bruyne may be a better footballer but if Mourinho had him he'd be in a midfield 2 pinging long balls at Fellaini and Lukaku. And our Mourinho fanboys will criticize him for not tracking runners or tracking back to play as a auxillary DM.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

De Bruyne may be a better footballer but if Mourinho had him he'd be in a midfield 2 pinging long balls at Fellaini and Lukaku. And our Mourinho fanboys will criticize him for not tracking runners or tracking back to play as a auxillary DM.

My god you’re a dreadful poster.

 

[redIndianDevil]

Do you watch the games with a paper bag on your head?

I don't but you definitely do. Sanchez almost always loses possession in the attacking third and majority of our opponents hoof it clear or the small majority which play a passing football are skilled enough to play a simple pass. It's an illusion that a lot of crap players create by running strongly to hide the fact that they in fact lost the ball in the first place by a silly move.

I'm not saying pressing is wrong, but it has to be done collectively, otherwise it's just a waste of energy. Luckily some players are blessed with immense stamina and physicality that they run around even when playing in a system where others don't press. And we specifically aren't a team who press higher up the pitch, as soon as we lose possession we set up a low block.

 

[redIndianDevil]

My god you’re a dreadful poster.

Thank you.

 

[Tony Banta]

I’m sure I’ve seen pictures of our Paul wearing glasses?

I wonder if he has a problem with his vision, would explain the erratic passing, even last night a simple pass, was played straight into touch.

Definitely something not right. He’s a confidence player and that confidence seems shot atm.

 

[bosnian_red]

I'd be okay with selling him to be honest. At his absolute very best that happens once a season, yeah, he can be a terrific player. And yes, I do blame Mourinho for the underperformance of so many players, particularly attacking ones. Pogba's attitude is awful though. The others work hard and give their all, but you can't say that for him. And even before whatever between them happened, when everyone was supposed to be happy, when the team was more or less built to have Pogba as the main guy and everyone just looking to him to do something (technically should make him seem at his best), he still wasn't that great and was wildly inconsistent. All this talk about he needs a midfield 3, needs to be the most attacking player in midfield, some saying he needs to be the one controlling games, whatever else... We've tried him in so many roles. He doesn't score OR create enough (more to creativity then just being capable of playing a nice pass) for him to play as a 10 or be the main creator in the team. He doesn't know how to control games so he can't be the controlling mid. Sure as shit isn't a holding mid. You put him as the most advanced of a midfield 3, and you still need the perfect types next to him to make sure you still have enough attacking threat while still being able to control. Somebody that does both jobs that Pogba is supposed to do, but better. Can't play him in a 2 because he's a liability. Can't play him as the center mid with a 10 next to him in front of a holding mid, because again, he's a liability defensively and can't dictate games with his play.

He was just horrifically overrated. I said it before we were signing him, that I was hesitant. Was never a huge fan and thought he was overrated because I thought he was just a highlights player but not a proper midfielder. Said Juve were getting a better midfielder for 30mil in Pjanic and selling an inferior midfielder who scored occasional volleys for 90m. Then when he came I got more and more excited and bought into the hype and thought maybe I was wrong about him. Nah. Wasn't wrong at all. The guy is purely a highlights player. Shows up to do little dribbles or the occasional great pass or shot from distance, but doesn't understand how to play the game properly to be a top player.

So yeah. If we manage to part ways with Mourinho in the summer, let Pogba go for 100m or whatever if anyone is willing to pay that much, and get proper central midfielders in. Midfielders who don't make a fuss about needing to defend. Midfielders who don't go hiding the second a game gets tough. Midfielders that give their all on the pitch with the right attitude and are more concerned with the team performing well than getting a highlight for himself and instead ruining a chance. Just best to cut him for good, Fergie knew best back then and made the right choice in not catering to him when he tried to make demands without even performing well at reserve level.

 

[kouroux]

@bosnian_red I couldn't have said it better. Second time in 2 days I agree to your posts lol

 

[bosnian_red]

But Sanchez is the one who's caused the unbalance and disruption to the team since his arrival. Pogba has been the main one who's been affected by Sanchez being shoehorned into the team. All the stats prove this. Pogba was doing just fine before he came so why should Sanchez be given leeway when we have sacrificed the teams balance to accodomate him and he's not performing?

How was Pogba doing just fine? Before Sanchez came in, Pogba was the worst player on the pitch in that Burnley game that we won thanks to Martial. Pogba has always been streaky. It also looks worse on Pogba if he suddenly gets all butt hurt about us getting a top player in who's a bigger star then he is (because he's far more proven). He should be excited to be playing alongside players like those. Pogba, in the year and a half he was here before Sanchez came, was average. Nothing more. Would be a huge flop in any tough game, and would show up and produce good games against shit teams. If those shit teams put up a fight, then Pogba would go hiding. Let's not re-write history and say he was some amazing player before Sanchez came. He was inconsistent as feck. Since then, Mourinho doesn't feel compelled to play Pogba even if he plays trash. So he drops him, because we have someone else with a world class reputation at the club. Sure, Sanchez hasn't been great (i attribute a lot of that to Mourinho's style and new club), but he still gives his all.

 

[bosnian_red]

@bosnian_red I couldn't have said it better. Second time in 2 days I agree to your posts lol

Haha. That game was the tipping point for me regarding Mourinho and Pogba tbh. Done with both of them.

 

[Toad]

I think he is far too immature to handle the pressure when he struggles with form. Needs to grow up a bit if you ask me. Almost 25 and should be coming into his peak but looks like that will take a little longer. A very rough patch but he will come out of it, might take some time though. The World Cup will do a world of good for his form if you ask me.

 

[kouroux]

Haha. That game was the tipping point for me regarding Mourinho and Pogba tbh. Done with both of them.

His first at Man United against Southampton seems like a decade ago.

 

[Devil81]

I've been thinking about it overnight, Riola will be pushing for Pogs to leave if Jose stays. The profile of the player is currently getting a battering, I can't see how he'd want to continue with United if this carried on.

 

[Full bodied red]

If Real Madrid try to get DDG this summer, maybe we should insist that DDG is only available as long as they take Pogba off our hands as well.

 

[TheReligion]

Pogba is playing poorly but all the suggestions why are just speculation. He looked fine with JM after the Liverpool game and Raiola confirmed no issues.

Instead people seem to want to make more out of it. He's in bad form and the balance of the side looks out with Sanchez. That's it. All the conspiracy theories are annoying.

 

[Sayros]

I think he is far too immature to handle the pressure when he struggles with form. Needs to grow up a bit if you ask me. Almost 25 and should be coming into his peak but looks like that will take a little longer. A very rough patch but he will come out of it, might take some time though. The World Cup will do a world of good for his form if you ask me.

Or it may send him into a further downward spiral. Personally, I wouldn't sell him unless you'd get a tremendous value which will not happen at this time. Mourinho's players are all losing value due to stale performances, pretty much 95% of the team is underperforming and their value is obviously taking a hit there. You won't be able to sell Pogba for a profit, it'll most likely be a loss. I, personally, wouldn't give up on him as I think he has all the talent to be world-class, but he has a small mentality. I don't buy that he isn't professional or works hard, because it's simply not true; but he is consistently shrinking in the big games and struggles with consistency (to be fair, every player on the team is as well).

I think that when an investment such as the acquisition of Pogba is made, especially given he comes from the academy (after being nicked from Le Havre), the club should stand by him. It would send a horrible message, in my eyes, to get rid of Pogba when it's not as if he's the one player that's dragging the rest of the team down, the whole team is dragging with few positive moments here and there by individuals, but hardly ever the team as a whole.

 

[redflair]

So Paul Pogba's not such a great player. Who knew? Didn't see it when he popped onto the OT turf the first time, then at Juve, then for France and now for a baffling two seasons back at United.

He has a World Cup coming up - and it's perhaps it's his last time to truly shine as a great name or a legend - but his horse seems to have bolted here, for whatever reason, the Alexis voodoo doll, Jose's tactics, or even Mino's blubbering into his ear about how bad things are.

Because make no mistake, this is a player who's one and only cause appears to be cult of Paul Pogba - the rest is expendable.

We, the fans, are definitely expendable because this has been an astonishing meltdown in the last few weeks. Jose might have to be expendable too if he's to have a future here.

Whatever happens, the loss of authority, form and sheer guts and determination in our star player has been breathtaking. If he comes back from it, all credit to him.

But he needs an iron temperament for that - and he hasn't shown one so far.

 

[Toad]

Or it may send him into a further downward spiral. Personally, I wouldn't sell him unless you'd get a tremendous value which will not happen at this time. Mourinho's players are all losing value due to stale performances, pretty much 95% of the team is underperforming and their value is obviously taking a hit there. You won't be able to sell Pogba for a profit, it'll most likely be a loss. I, personally, wouldn't give up on him as I think he has all the talent to be world-class, but he has a small mentality. I don't buy that he isn't professional or works hard, because it's simply not true; but he is consistently shrinking in the big games and struggles with consistency (to be fair, every player on the team is as well).

I think that when an investment such as the acquisition of Pogba is made, especially given he comes from the academy (after being nicked from Le Havre), the club should stand by him. It would send a horrible message, in my eyes, to get rid of Pogba when it's not as if he's the one player that's dragging the rest of the team down, the whole team is dragging with few positive moments here and there by individuals, but hardly ever the team as a whole.

You hit the nail on the head when you said everyone is underperforming. We need to remember it is not just him. Even Sanchez is struggling and he has only just joined. The tactics in no way suit half of the players in the squad and a new manager more suited to attacking football may fix things. But I’d rather Mourinho have another season or two and Male the team his own, I think he will eventually get that sweet spot though.

 

[Bobski]

25 tomorrow and has been playing high end club and international football for 6 years. Next year is crucial for him, only so long you can hold on to the idea of potential and the improvements maturity can bring.

 

[BluesJr]

The more you think about it his hype has mainly been built from Vine, GIF’s and brief highlights on YouTube more than any real sustained form on the pitch.

He’s the first player I can really remember being like this, the cult and hype everyone buys into. I’ve bought into it myself and I still think he’s capable and can have a good career here but he needs to get a grip and start playing like an adult with responsibility.

 

[DatIrishFella]

Yup. His attitude is stinking. Absolutely stinking. Whilst I thought @noodlehair's "We'll never win the league with Paul Pogba" thread was gash, I have to admit I was wrong, you don't win top honours with the likes of him in the team, swanning about like a peacock. He's not half as good as he thinks he is. The team can't afford a luxury player who bottles it in big games.

To think poor Ander Herrera is getting shafted for him. He'd take a huge burden off of Matic with his desire and willingness.

 

[Hed Zitin]

Looks like the cafe isn't wanting to building the team around this guy anymore then.

 

[AndyJ1985]

Ferguson was criticised for not giving in to Pogba's demands and instead allowing him to leave. Once again it looks like the great man knew better than the rest of us. This lad doesn't have the mentality to lead us to glory. He's a sulking lazy fanny who believes in his own hype.

 

[sugar_kane]

At his best he is phenomenal, he's having a bad patch right now but I'm confident he will come good. It would be ludicrous to sell him.

 

[C'est Moi Cantona]

He'd be the last player i'd sell, if Jose can't get the best out of him then more fool him.

 

[breakout67]

Looks like the cafe isn't wanting to building the team around this guy anymore then.

I've been against it since the start. There are two types of players you build the team around:

1) Freak attackers, that elevate the team through their sheer quality. Get the ball to them and they will do something magical 9/10 times. Messi, CR7, R9, Ronaldinho etc.

2) Extremely forward thinking midfielders, those that can do the thinking for the whole team, and orchestrate it due to their tactical vision and decision making. Xavi, Pirlo, Scholes, Alonso etc.

Pogba is neither of those.

 

[VeevaVee]

Ferguson was criticised for not giving in to Pogba's demands and instead allowing him to leave. Once again it looks like the great man knew better than the rest of us. This lad doesn't have the mentality to lead us to glory. He's a sulking lazy fanny who believes in his own hype.

Funny thing is, that's kinda why he left. Already thought he'd earned the right to play when Fergie thought otherwise. As if Fergie was shy of giving youngsters a chance. I'd love to know he really thought and thinks now.