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2017-18 Performances


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6.1 Season Average Rating
Appearances
37
Goals
6
Assists
16
Yellow cards
5
Red cards
1
Status
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No, it doesn't. The keeper saved Pogba's attempt, i.e. the ball touched one of the opposition's players, so it will not be recorded add an assist.
Is this the FA's official rule and is it absolute? Like, if a cross or pass gets a deflection, it doesn't count as an assist too?
 
Is this the FA's official rule and is it absolute? Like, if a cross or pass gets a deflection, it doesn't count as an assist too?
I believe this is the most common way for counting assists as it doesn't leave any room for judgement. However, some federations give assists if a player gets a penalty. That is less common though.
 
No, it doesn't. The keeper saved Pogba's attempt, i.e. the ball touched one of the opposition's players, so it will not be recorded as an assist.

I looked it up, seems you are right. Although not an official assist, Pogba did create that goal.
 
He's starting to look like a player who justifies the price tag. His close control and dribbling in midfield are allowing us to drive forward and run at teams on the counter attack when we win possession and that's creating good opportunities for us and causing problems for the defending team. He's got the license to go forward with Matic so capably holding behind him. The thing that impressed me the most about his display yesterday was how controlled he was with his temperament and decision making after he got booked. Swansea looked to target him a little immediately afterwards and apart from one slightly late challenge, he didn't really bite. He kept himself disciplined for the rest of the game and contributed well throughout.
 
I've got him as a average rating of 9.0 at the moment compared to the 6.5 average on this site.

He's got 2 goals and 2 assists in 2 games. I think 6.5 is a bit harsh.
 
I've got him as a average rating of 9.0 at the moment compared to the 6.5 average on this site.

He's got 2 goals and 2 assists in 2 games. I think 6.5 is a bit harsh.
I think his poor performance in the Supercup is the reason for that, got a lot of grief for that game and it counted towards the ratings since it's an official game
 
I think his poor performance in the Supercup is the reason for that, got a lot of grief for that game and it counted towards the ratings since it's an official game
Except for the Super Cup performance ain't poor. It's not highly benificial for the team, but he's more than decent given the context of how good the opposition and how meh his passing options.
 
Except for the Super Cup performance ain't poor. It's not highly benificial for the team, but he's more than decent given the context of how good the opposition and how meh his passing options.
I didn't personally think it was as bad as some people made it out to be, my main frustration was his bad decision making at times. But you know how the Caf is when we lose.
 
Himself, matic, miki and lukaku have been our best players so far this season. Long may it continue!

Edit. Adding goals and helping control games. He's the player we thought we signed last year. He would have had much better stats if zlatan was on top form and not missing lots of easy chances and our overall team has a much more balanced look this year too.
 
I can't work out if I prefer him as an 8 or a 10

Both games he's been switched to a 10, he's switched beast mode on. But I also think he's Matic's best partner
 
I can't work out if I prefer him as an 8 or a 10

Both games he's been switched to a 10, he's switched beast mode on. But I also think he's Matic's best partner
Beast mode is far more important than being someone's partner

He is your best player - play him where he is at his best
 
He was nowhere near as bad last season as rival fans and the media made him out to be, you could see he did things that no other CM in the world can do. He is a truly unique player and we're lucky to have him. That being said he will improve even more this season and show why he's a special player. Even though I don't think goals or assists are that important for him to have a big effect on the game (certainly not an expectation for me every game), if it takes him getting on the stats sheet more to get some credit from non-United supporters then long may it continue.
 
I can't work out if I prefer him as an 8 or a 10

Both games he's been switched to a 10, he's switched beast mode on. But I also think he's Matic's best partner

True. He will do both in a game. Only thing you shouldn't do with Pogba is restrict him within pre decided boundaries.
 
Nani? Are you OK?

Yeah, I'm pretty good.

Pogba is inconsistent as feck in between the highlight reel stuff. YouTuber's dream. Has all the talent, but not always the brain. Two silly fouls and the occasional brain fart on the ball.
 
Yeah, I'm pretty good.

Pogba is inconsistent as feck in between the highlight reel stuff. YouTuber's dream. Has all the talent, but not always the brain. Two silly fouls and the occasional brain fart on the ball.
While I agree he can be wasteful at times, by trying to over complicate things and running in to trouble, he is on a totally different level than nani for the most part.
 
I can't work out if I prefer him as an 8 or a 10

Both games he's been switched to a 10, he's switched beast mode on. But I also think he's Matic's best partner
I think he's best as an 8 or more specifically, a slightly advanced CM in a 3 man midfield. It is sort of the middle ground between an 8 and an outright 10. Taking a player out of the hole in front of him opens him up to have more space and run at the defence, and he is deadly in transition. I don't think we would get his best if we slotted him in the middle of a 4-2-3-1 or played him behind the striker in a 4-4-1-1 which is typically where a 10 would lineup. I'd say his best position is the most advanced CM in 4-3-3 but failing that he's also very strong as the attacking midfielder in a 2 man set up, especially against weaker opposition. I think in big games we will bring in Herrera for one of Mikhi or Mata and play a 4-3-3 where Pogba is the creative outlet, but not as advanced as most teams would play a traditional number 10 (think Ozil, Bergkamp, or Kaka). I'd say Pogba is a unique talent we shouldn't really have a specific definition of what he is or his exact role, as being to rigid in defining/using him will not get the most out of his talent. He looks to be the hub of our team, and we fit the pieces around him.

The one aspect I really like of playing him in a 2 last year and again this year is it will start to ingrain some positional responsibility, and stops him from trying to be Roy of the Rovers. Which while impactful, can hurt guys later in their careers because they never develop that sense of positioning. I also felt that somewhat hurt Gerrard and really limited him as he aged, and why he was at his very best when he had Mascherano and Alonso behind him to put him in a purely attacking role.
 
I can't work out if I prefer him as an 8 or a 10

Both games he's been switched to a 10, he's switched beast mode on. But I also think he's Matic's best partner

The tactic is working right now though. The changes are made late(r) on when the other teams are more tired and we seem to take advantage of this. I'm happy to continue this way for now.

Don't worry though, Jose will 100% play a midfield 3 at some points during the season so it's all good :)
 
I have absolutely no doubt he'll be the best centre mid in the world before long, and is probably one of the best already.

No other central midfielder is as complete as Pogba, he's going to be an absolute force in years to come.
 
I am so glad that United have Pogba. Still young, and have rooms for development. Good at almost every aspects in his game, but I love his dynamism in his play. Long range passes, chip through balls, tricks and dribbling in the middle of the park, decent free kick taker (so far as only goalposts are feeling the love at the moment), and shooting from distance etc.

Transfer fees are now looking more and more like a 'bargain' compared to the recent ones now. It is a BIG relief after we have been served with mediocrity in midfield. Nothing against the players before including the likes of Cleverley and Anderson. Both looked like they are going somewhere until the tackle on Cleverley's ankle that ruined the potential midfield, just like with Shaw with potential left sided defence and attack but that's another story.
 
In fantasy football maybe but some stat sites like whoscored thankfully don't register those as assists.
Just to clarify, the official premier league fantasy football league gave him 2 assists for Swansea. Do we know if that's for definite within the premier league also? I would assume it would be.
 
Just to clarify, the official premier league fantasy football league gave him 2 assists for Swansea. Do we know if that's for definite within the premier league also? I would assume it would be.

As per Official premier league stats Pogba has 1 assist this season.
 
Just to clarify, the official premier league fantasy football league gave him 2 assists for Swansea. Do we know if that's for definite within the premier league also? I would assume it would be.

FPL is a lot more lenient with assists awarded than the Official stats use, probably to add more balance to the game. They include penalties and free kicks won as assists for example as well where I don't think the official stats do.
 
Outstanding again on the weekend.

He's dominating midfields now, I see another 8-9/10 showing and another goal this weekend, against Leicester.
 
FPL is a lot more lenient with assists awarded than the Official stats use, probably to add more balance to the game. They include penalties and free kicks won as assists for example as well where I don't think the official stats do.
Yeah I've always just assumed that they were "official" considering it was a premier league assisted game. Can see why stats get so confused every year.
 
A one-of a kind player, I can't think of anyone quite like him in the game who today marries the physical and technical abilities as well as he does. If he can learn to keep it simple and just play his game during the big matches, he'll be even harder to stop.
 
Cant argue he's started this season a lot better than last.

Matic has clearly helped him. I do think a 90mil player shouldn't need to rely so heavily on a midfield partner as Pogba does, but am so glad Matic is here as this is benefitting the whole team, while Pogba is getting a lot of the praise.

His goal was superbly taken, a brilliant powerful run to make space for himself.

Could have been sent off for the late tackle, different referee and he'd have gone. Wouldn't have blamed the ref, if an opposition player made two late tackles like he did, we'd all be screaming for a red.

He's starting to look like a decent signing, good to see
 
He really benefits from Ibrahimovic's departure. With Lukaku not dropping so deep, he has a lot more room to operate in and it's benefiting him greatly.
Umm no. Last season, Ibra and Pogba together had great chemistry on the field, and worked really well together. Pogba's start to the season has to do with factors other than Ibra (Matic, team in better form, much better preseason etc.).
 
Cant argue he's started this season a lot better than last.

Matic has clearly helped him. I do think a 90mil player shouldn't need to rely so heavily on a midfield partner as Pogba does, but am so glad Matic is here as this is benefitting the whole team, while Pogba is getting a lot of the praise.

His goal was superbly taken, a brilliant powerful run to make space for himself.

Could have been sent off for the late tackle, different referee and he'd have gone. Wouldn't have blamed the ref, if an opposition player made two late tackles like he did, we'd all be screaming for a red.

He's starting to look like a decent signing, good to see
It's not about relying on Matic as much, as his role in the team changes if he doesn't have someone experienced playing a disciplined role behind him. He Could still play in a similar way if Matic wasn't there, but that would be to the detriment of the team.
 
People who still can't acknowledge that he's pure class are driven by some weird agenda at this stage.
 
Umm no. Last season, Ibra and Pogba together had great chemistry on the field, and worked really well together. Pogba's start to the season has to do with factors other than Ibra (Matic, team in better form, much better preseason etc.).

Umm, yes. Ibrahimovic tends to drop deep more than Lukaku to create something, which hinders Pogba more than it helps him. Additionally, Lukaku is much faster and thus somebody who not only creates room with that, but who can run with and for somebody like Pogba.
It's not just the arrival of Matic that has helped Pogba. It's also the swap of Lukaku for Ibrahimovic.
 
It's not about relying on Matic as much, as his role in the team changes if he doesn't have someone experienced playing a disciplined role behind him. He Could still play in a similar way if Matic wasn't there, but that would be to the detriment of the team.
Exactly, why should we have a player of his many abilities doing the "lesser" work that Matic can do so well? This is precisely how you build around your star players, by getting complementary talents around them to enhance their best qualities.
 
It's funny some downplay him by pointing out how another player is complementing him and he should be able to do it alone. But having Benzema be the foil for Ronaldo, or Xavi the supply line to Messi is completely ok as it's "chemistry" and "sum of the parts".

It's weird af. Like why are there other players around him with tactical roles.
 
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They made up their minds a long time ago, and are not the kind for people to be swayed by minor things like facts. A pity for them, because Pogba gives the rest of us great enjoyment every week.

It's utterly mental, to be honest. I absolutely love watching him play - like most do - and he has had a cracking start to the season. Pity some still run with their agenda driven narratives and are too blind to see what's in front of them. Oh well, they just look plain foolish at this stage. It's much easier to change your opinion and admit to being wrong rather than running with a narrative completely to the contrary and trying to justify the unjustifiable.
 
People who still can't acknowledge that he's pure class are driven by some weird agenda at this stage.

I still read on twitter that he's more 'pop-star' than footballer and he's nowhere near the top midfielders in the world. Pathetic opinions from people who genuinely can't have watched him.
 
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