[OldSchoolManc]

In 15 years' time, he'll top the threads of biggest wastes of talent in football on this very forum.

Based off Einstein's take on insanity, it is certifiably insane to expect something out of him now. It's getting late in the game.

La pique, more like la grosse baudruche.

This is what I fear his career is heading towards. He’s 25 and should be playing with that maturity, not like a teenager with skillz.

 

[settembrini]

I’m now firmly of the belief that we can’t have Pogba playing centrally at all.

Whenever I try and think of a United team that will actually give us an attacking plan Pogba ends up on the right wing. This is 50% because I could see him providing Beckham-esque crosses and long passes, he won't need as much positional discipline, and he's also fairly fast and can beat a man. The other 50% is because everyone else we try there plays like absolute trash.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Whenever I try and think of a United team that will actually give us an attacking plan Pogba ends up on the right wing. This is 50% because I could see him providing Beckham-esque crosses and long passes, he won't need as much positional discipline, and he's also fairly fast and can beat a man. The other 50% is because everyone else we try there plays like absolute trash.

You know that's not a bad shout. Worked for Steven Gerrard anyway.

 

[NinjaFletch]

Reminds me of Liverpool's 'Gerrard problem' in many ways.

Gerrard was a better player than Pogba, and it's not even particularly close, but they always seemed to struggle with where his best position was. Arguably their best season with him in the team, before he declined and moved backwards, was the season he played on the right hand side of midfield.

Oh ffs @Pogue Mahone beat me to it.

 

[Adam-Utd]

I’m now firmly of the belief that we can’t have Pogba playing centrally at all.

Seems to have regressed this season. Last season you could justifiably say he should have got double the number of assists and generally dominated against non-top 6 sides

This year where playing WBA at home and he looks anonymous

It's the way the teams setup. No width, all attackers bunched together 5 yards apart surrounded by defenders. No forward runs from strikers or 3rd man runs from deep.

It's shite football and were getting poor performances because of it.

Look at how he was in "poor form" for United, then goes to France with Mbappe and the likes and has a great game, no surprise there.

Jose is strangling the life out of these players just like he did Hazard.

 

[villain]

Pogba on the right hand side of midfield might actually be a great shout.

 

[OldSchoolManc]

Whenever I try and think of a United team that will actually give us an attacking plan Pogba ends up on the right wing. This is 50% because I could see him providing Beckham-esque crosses and long passes, he won't need as much positional discipline, and he's also fairly fast and can beat a man. The other 50% is because everyone else we try there plays like absolute trash.

You know that's not a bad shout. Worked for Steven Gerrard anyway.

Reminds me of Liverpool's 'Gerrard problem' in many ways.

Gerrard was a better player than Pogba, and it's not even particularly close, but they always seemed to struggle with where his best position was. Arguably their best season with him in the team, before he declined and moved backwards, was the season he played on the right hand side of midfield.

Oh ffs @Pogue Mahone beat me to it.

Ah, he’s being moved to another position now where it’s all gonna Come together.
Don’t worry, when that fails, we can try him in defence.
Maybe left back...in the dressing room.

 

[Trizy]

So we selling Pogba according to the Dailymail today.

It just gets better and better being an United fan.

 

[MUFC OK]

How short are some peoples memories? We literally just saw him produce his best performance for United, playing in his best position, against City last week. He didn't have a great game against WBA and now fans revert to saying they don't know what to do with him. He should play as the most advanced midfielder of a 3. Consistency is the only issue at present, hopefully that will come if he is played in his favoured role for a prolonged period.

 

[VP89]

So we selling Pogba according to the Dailymail today.

It just gets better and better being an United fan.

Would we miss him from his contribution to the side thus far? We'd miss the potential he can be but he hasn't shown much at all in a United shirt for his talent.

Brilliant qualities all round for him but it just hasn't shown consistently at all for 2 seasons which is what I find most frustrating.

 

[Jeffthered]

I fear he will join a club, that has a manager, and culture, that are willing to accept his personality, nurture his talent, and try and get the best out of him. Jose Mourinho is all about Jose Mourinho... look at Sanchez, Shaw, Rashford, Martial... Lukaku was absolutely awful on Sunday, as was Mata (who has a big problem at the club...).

All playing under Jose Mourinho. I cannot, really cannot believe that United fans are so quick to write Pogba off (our best football this season, was dictated by Pogba.. that's without question). Yes, he looks like he has lost his way... yes, he seems pretty fed up, and lacking maturity, and guess what, that may be the story of this season for him. But look at the wider context? A manager that wishes to keep Fellani and Ashley Young, yet is happy to drop Rashford after match-winning performances, publicly rebuke individual players time, and time, and time again... why not get the team together and say 'listen, we have all made a bit of a mess of the attacking aspect of our game this season, me included...so let's get together in pre-season and work together to bring the best out of all of us...'

We sell Pogba, that reflects as much on Mourinho, as it does Pogba. He was senstational at Juve... and now he is a poorer player? Just like that?

Do me a favour. You keep the guy, and you work with him. Many, many top players have poor periods in their career. We forget Giggs, Becks.... who remembers when Scholes played off a lead striker? His game was lost for a good few games. Giggs couldn't cross the thing (er, football) for a season! Rio couldn't defend... Patrice Evra was told he couldn't cope with the Premiership... De Gea was laughed at by some Sky Pundits!

I wish people would focus on how a manager can get the best out of Pogs. And Shaw. And Sanchez. And Martial. And Rashford. That's a manager's job.

 

[VP89]

How short are some peoples memories? We literally just saw him produce his best performance for United, playing in his best position, against City last week. He didn't have a great game against WBA and now fans revert to saying they don't know what to do with him. He should play as the most advanced midfielder of a 3. Consistency is the only issue at present, hopefully that will come if he is played in his favoured role for a prolonged period.

That's a pretty major fecking issue. He's failed to show any sort of prolonged consistency since he joined.

 

[Trizy]

Would we miss him from his contribution to the side thus far? We'd miss the potential he can be but he hasn't shown much at all in a United shirt for his talent.

Brilliant qualities all round for him but it just hasn't shown consistently at all for 2 seasons which is what I find most frustrating.

True. The bigger problem I feel is who do we get in to replace him?

 

[R'hllor]

Its fecked up situation not only regarding Pogba but all our players, because you cant be sure whats the reason for their contribution to the team or lack off. You see PL threads with Salah comments, people often say "world class players perform on high level, who knew" as thats how things works but lets be real, would Salah scored same amount for us, with same level of performance if you just copy paste him to us? I doubt it, hell i would say he would look below 50% of his current state, ofc there is no way i can prove that.

 

[MUFC OK]

That's a pretty major fecking issue. He's failed to show any sort of prolonged consistency since he joined.

So he should be winning every game for us on his own, as he basically did against City? When was the last time a United player did that? If you can gauge positivity out of that and revert to wanting to move him on after a below par follow up performance then no player will ever be good enough. It seems some of you are obsessed with selling all of our best players and replacing the manager, it's madness.

 

[lysglimt]

So he should be winning every game for us on his own, as he basically did against City? When was the last time a United player did that? If you can gauge positivity out of that and revert to wanting to move him on after a below par follow up performance then no player will ever be good enough. It seems some of you are obsessed with selling all of our best players and replacing the manager, it's madness.

He has had less than 5 really good games for us all season. Noone expects him to win us games every week - but he needs to do it more often than that.

 

[King.of.Red]

Disappointed with him.

 

[Shark]

So he should be winning every game for us on his own, as he basically did against City? When was the last time a United player did that? If you can gauge positivity out of that and revert to wanting to move him on after a below par follow up performance then no player will ever be good enough. It seems some of you are obsessed with selling all of our best players and replacing the manager, it's madness.

How can he go from winning a game on his own against the champions of England, to then get hauled off after 58 minutes against the team at the bottom of the table? that's the problem fans are having with him, he's far too hot and cold for a supposed elite talent. Nobody expected him to score another double vs West Brom either, he could have just done the basics right and most wouldn't have minded. He was atrocious and uninterested.

 

[Bole Top]

does anyone remember Sneijder in his first season in Madrid? he was even younger than Pogba. or his trebble season with Inter in the same age? if you can't get that maturity in game by the time you're 25 or 26, there's good chance you won't get it at all. I'm genuinely disappointed with how this whole situation is working out, but still wouldn't sell him.

 

[Oldyella]

Would we miss him from his contribution to the side thus far? We'd miss the potential he can be but he hasn't shown much at all in a United shirt for his talent.

Brilliant qualities all round for him but it just hasn't shown consistently at all for 2 seasons which is what I find most frustrating.

Maybe Jose will use the sale funds to offer Fellaini the whopping contract he wants to keep him to stay, seems to be where we are at atm.

 

[MUFC OK]

How can he go from winning a game on his own against the champions of England, to then get hauled off after 58 minutes against the team at the bottom of the table? that's the problem fans are having with him, he's far too hot and cold for a supposed elite talent. Nobody expected him to score another double vs West Brom either, he could have just done the basics right and most wouldn't have minded. He was atrocious and uninterested.

He is an elite talent, and it was not just him, the whole team was atrocious against WBA. As for the issues with our play, the most pressing is our fullback situation and sorting that our would help our attacking play immensely.

I agree he needs to simplify his game at times but when things aren't happening around him he tries to over complicate and it doesn't end well.

 

[OldSchoolManc]

Maybe Jose will use the sale funds to offer Fellaini the whopping contract he wants to keep him to stay, seems to be where we are at atm.

Come off it, that’s ridiculous.
For a machine to work, you need all the cogs to fit and turn in the right directions.
One bad cog and the whole thing comes to a grinding halt.

 

[Oldyella]

Come off it, that’s ridiculous.
For a machine to work, you need all the cogs to fit and turn in the right directions.
One bad cog and the whole thing comes to a grinding halt.

Partly, yes, but a manager that can make fit a Fellaini shaped cog into the team, but not a Pogba shaped cog doesn't full me with a great deal of confidence long term.

 

[Mourinhonista]

Pogba isn't perfect, of course he has flaws in his game, however if we were to replace him who we'd go for besides from the obvious big names such as Verratti or Kroos? I for one can't come up with a name who can do what Pogba has shown here for the last two years. Furthermore me thinks people tend to go overboard with their criticism on him. Pogba is strong, skilfull, has vision and can shoot. Over the course of the season, he's shown that for me. Injuries were a huge problem why we couldn't do it consistently.

Personally i go as far as that without Pogba United's troubles will only get worse. Mourinho can't be allowed to sell Pogba, he really can't be that stupid.

 

[dove]

Wouldn't mind selling him. I just can't see us winning anything with him in the team. Some of you will say "but but he was good at Juve" but I think it's mainly because he had 2 of the best midfielders in the world alongside him in Pirlo and Vidal. His positioning is shocking for a midfielder and he just doesn't seem to be capable of controlling the tempo in midfield which is a massive problem. So unless we add at least 1 more TOP midfielder, he will struggle.

 

[Thomas A.Anderson]

Pogba isn't perfect, of course he has flaws in his game, however if we were to replace him who we'd go for besides from the obvious big names such as Verratti or Kroos? I for one can't come up with a name who can do what Pogba has shown here for the last two years. Furthermore me thinks people tend to go overboard with their criticism on him. Pogba is strong, skilfull, has vision and can shoot. Over the course of the season, he's shown that for me. Injuries were a huge problem why we couldn't do it consistently.

Personally i go as far as that without Pogba United's troubles will only get worse. Mourinho can't be allowed to sell Pogba, he really can't be that stupid.

His physical ability is not a problem. We all know he has skills.

His head is the problem. And that's the hardest part to improve, and what's the most worrying, with Raiola in his team, I don't think he wants to adapt or improve. Or be a team player. It's inexcusable that a player sulks or deliberately walks on the pitch just because Sanchez has the same salary or he wants to play in another position.

There are posts everyday that criticize Mourinho's pragmatic way and are calling for SAF's attacking style. They should be calling for SAF's ruthlessness with that kind of behaviour and mentality.

 

[VP89]

So he should be winning every game for us on his own, as he basically did against City? When was the last time a United player did that? If you can gauge positivity out of that and revert to wanting to move him on after a below par follow up performance then no player will ever be good enough. It seems some of you are obsessed with selling all of our best players and replacing the manager, it's madness.

What are you on about? I didn't say that whatsoever.

His city game is not reflective of the general standards he's shown in a United shirt. Anyone knows that.

 

[UnofficialDevil]

Would be madness to sell him. I can just see him going to Barca and beeing one of the best midfielders in the world for the next 8 years.

 

[Canagel]

Would be madness to sell him. I can just see him going to Barca and beeing one of the best midfielders in the world for the next 8 years.

Agreed. I think Barcelona should be one of the clubs in for him if we make the stupid decision to sell him. They are very weak in midfield and with Iniesta likely to be leaving there will be some gaps that need to be filled. Didn't they buy Paulinho who flopped at Spurs? Now look at him. Sometimes players need a different environment to shine. PSG is another one but the French league is dead. There's no point in going there. One thing is for sure. He won't be short of options.

 

[King Kana]

It's the way the teams setup. No width, all attackers bunched together 5 yards apart surrounded by defenders. No forward runs from strikers or 3rd man runs from deep.

It's shite football and were getting poor performances because of it.

Look at how he was in "poor form" for United, then goes to France with Mbappe and the likes and has a great game, no surprise there.

Jose is strangling the life out of these players just like he did Hazard.

You what? Hazard had his best season to date in England playing for Jose! The season they won the double. At least check facts before making yourself look like a bowl of spinach.

 

[Member 99369]

How short are some peoples memories? We literally just saw him produce his best performance for United, playing in his best position, against City last week. He didn't have a great game against WBA and now fans revert to saying they don't know what to do with him. He should play as the most advanced midfielder of a 3. Consistency is the only issue at present, hopefully that will come if he is played in his favoured role for a prolonged period.

Oh look - the "how short are some people's memories" line...

It's not like he's been superb all season, then one bad game and he's trashed in here. Of course folks remember the Man City game - the point is that game was the exception rather than the norm

 

[Coxy]

Would be madness to sell him. I can just see him going to Barca and beeing one of the best midfielders in the world for the next 8 years.

This. The guy was amazing at Juventus - there was a reason we paid so much for him.

Salah, De Bruyne etc all failed under Mourinho. Even Sanchez hasn't put in the performances we know he can do. There's a reason for that - the way we play and the way they're expected to play and conform.

 

[Darkhorsez]

Oh look - the "how short are some people's memories" line...

It's not like he's been superb all season, then one bad game and he's trashed in here. Of course folks remember the Man City game - the point is that game was the exception rather than the norm

Get a grip! He was excellent until his injury and then came back and got sent off vs Arsenal. Of course, he can do better but that’s the story with some of our other players.

 

[Stacks]

Would be madness to sell him. I can just see him going to Barca and beeing one of the best midfielders in the world for the next 8 years.

he'll be like Coutinho. They will say he doesn't do enough in matches but for a few flashes, and they will demand more. The whole "moments" thing he does will not fly over there.

 

[Icemav]

I'm not sure why peeps are overcomplicating this. Pogs isnt going to be a midfield general. We need to bulletproof the CentreMid and defense (playmakers) and allow Pogba to break forwards like Lampard and Gerrard. The occasional match winning performance like @City and its 90mil very well spent.

Thats the reality, now calm down. We have finished top 4.

 

[el3mel]

I will never understand hose who bring Hazard into comparison with Pogba, do they even understand the difference in position and its responsibilities ? Hazard is a forward, we can talk all we want about freedom, not defending etc, but Pogba is a fecking midfielder. Not all his duties on the pitch in scoring. He needs to dominate games, to control midfield, to dominate any midfielder he's playing against, to assist in attacking and assist in defending to not have midfield open.

I have never found a midfielder who doesn't do a defensive work. Playing in 4-3-3 for the sake of it will still leave him with some defensive duties to do as well, and not to mention, playing with 2 dmfs for the sake of "freeing" Pogba with this level of inconsistency and immaturity is simply not worth it. If you are going to build a team about someone, build it about a player who will give you 8 out of 10 performance then, not a player that gives 9 in one game and 5 in the next one.

 

[Jeffthered]

Get a grip! He was excellent until his injury and then came back and got sent off vs Arsenal. Of course, he can do better but that’s the story with some of our other players.

Absolutely right. Pogba is a high-profile victim of the culture of the club, which under this manager is really getting rather horrid. Smalling. Shaw. Pogba. All have been taken apart publicly.. that's not Man Utd way, sorry. His press conference yesterday almost seems like he is admitting that the players are completely separate from himself.

'They have to prove themselves to me for me to pick them for semi-final....' What an ugly statement. This follows 'I suspected this performance during the week...' after the home loss to WBA. Of course, nothing to do with him

How about a Mourinho narrative like '...... after a disappointing game, we now all have to pull together, and players like Paul Pogba can really ignite and drive our team, so this is what we as management, and the fans wish to support him with, and all our other creative talents... '

Pogba is treated like a pariah, and it's just personal now.

 

[GDaly95]

What is it with Pogba, where I feel let down by him most weeks but at the same time I feel like we owe him for coming back? Maybe it's just me, it's completely illogical but I can't shake that mindset.

Nonetheless, I think it will end one of two ways. It won't work out, Pogba will leave and it'll be seen as a massive waste of talent, with some fans pointing the finger at Pogba and some at Jose.

Or

Jose will leave within the next year or two and if Pogba is still here, we'll bring in a manager who'll cater to him, build around him and hone him into a better performer for us, because let's be honest, Jose's style and Pogba's style.. I just don't see it working out.

 

[Shark]

What is it with Pogba, where I feel let down by him most weeks but at the same time I feel like we owe him for coming back? Maybe it's just me, it's completely illogical but I can't shake that mindset.

Nonetheless, I think it will end one of two ways. It won't work out, Pogba will leave and it'll be seen as a massive waste of talent, with some fans pointing the finger at Pogba and some at Jose.

Or

Jose will leave within the next year or two and if Pogba is still here, we'll bring in a manager who'll cater to him, build around him and hone him into a better performer for us, because let's be honest, Jose's style and Pogba's style.. I just don't see it working out.

You see, there we have one of the most glaring issues since SAF stepped down. Absolutely no transfer strategy.

 

[GDaly95]

You see, there we have one of the most glaring issues since SAF stepped down. Absolutely no transfer strategy.

Yeah, the Pogba thread is far too narrow to discuss that one. A huge proportion of transfers since SAF left have made very little sense.