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2018-19 Performances


View full 2018-19 profile

5.8 Season Average Rating
Appearances
47
Goals
16
Assists
14
Yellow cards
7
Red cards
1
Status
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Firstly, it's debatable whether Mourinho disrespected him. For starters, no-one knows what goes on behind closed doors. However, if he did call him a 'virus', which has not been meaningfully substantiated, then it was after one of the most unprofessional performances that you are ever likely to witness. In that context, Pogba could reasonably expect some criticism.

In terms of whether he didn't value him, Mourinho was the manager when United paid a world record fee for Pogba. And he continually defended him when he was criticised for mediocre performances.

Regardless of this, it is always Pogba's responsibility to turn up and try his hardest. This is incumbent on any person in any job, let alone one of the world's top footballers. You can't have everything all your own way in life. You have certain responsibilities, and if you don't accept these responsibilities then you will attract criticism, particularly if you make yourself a massive public figure as Pogba has.
No justification whatsoever for calling Pogba a virus. None. This is a professional environment and they are lines you don't cross.

Just like there was no justification for the Tito and Eva incidents.
 
Even though Pogba is the most talented player in the squad, I'd build the team around someone else.

Not because Pogba isn't talented enough. But because he very easily lets the weight of expectation turn his game to shit.

I think that, ironically, he's more creative when there are other players in the side who are seen as the main creative outlets. Stick a playmaker next to him and on the right wing, and Pogba will become more consistent and influential himself.

He has a weird pyschology for such a great player. He loves being the main man. But ever since I've watched him, he's performed better when he isn't.

Sounds accurate. He thrived at Juve and was never considered the main man there. He is much better when he's fully focused on doing his job than being distracted by extra responsibilities that come with leading other players. Just let the guy enjoy football without over-burdening him in my opinion.
 
Firstly, it's debatable whether Mourinho disrespected him. For starters, no-one knows what goes on behind closed doors. However, if he did call him a 'virus', which has not been meaningfully substantiated, then it was after one of the most unprofessional performances that you are ever likely to witness. In that context, Pogba could reasonably expect some criticism.

In terms of whether he didn't value him, Mourinho was the manager when United paid a world record fee for Pogba. And he continually defended him when he was criticised for mediocre performances.

Regardless of this, it is always Pogba's responsibility to turn up and try his hardest. This is incumbent on any person in any job, let alone one of the world's top footballers. You can't have everything all your own way in life. You have certain responsibilities, and if you don't accept these responsibilities then you will attract criticism, particularly if you make yourself a massive public figure as Pogba has.

Defending a professional insulting a colleague of theirs by calling them a “virus” in front of teammates. Amazing!
 
Even though Pogba is the most talented player in the squad, I'd build the team around someone else.

Not because Pogba isn't talented enough. But because he very easily lets the weight of expectation turn his game to shit.

I think that, ironically, he's more creative when there are other players in the side who are seen as the main creative outlets. Stick a playmaker next to him and on the right wing, and Pogba will become more consistent and influential himself.

He has a weird pyschology for such a great player. He loves being the main man. But ever since I've watched him, he's performed better when he isn't.

Yeah I don't get that at all. It's a really hard problem to solve long-term because in games, he often struggles when the team looks to him being the main man. Yet everything about how he acts, on and off the pitch, suggests he wants to be the main man. There where times when Ibrahimovic puffed his chest out and Pogba came to life, but that was only ever going to be a short-term arrangement. Can he handle having one or two other superstars ahead of him for a long time? I think the psychology of the Sanchez signing had a bad impact on him, which is a worrying sign.
 


This is as much an observation as also a criticism (because of the fact he still has more to give, which is testamount to his potential) but I find his talk here and the various ones posted during the World Cup campaign..a bit hollow.

I know it's silly to judge from small excerpts of videos but no one is really listening. He's says the right things and that's great but he's not really convincing anyone or even himself because he simply doesn't play with that same intensity he's trying to preach.

The fact even at 60-70% he is still a level above the rest of the pitch says enough but still, there are far too many transitions of play off the ball where his movement/intensity is very lacksidasal.

It's perhaps unrealistic of me to expect proper coordinated pressing/closing of space from him after 2 games under OGS but I bloody hope he picks it up because a motivated Pogba off the ball would make our midfield amazeballs.
 
This is as much an observation as also a criticism (because of the fact he still has more to give, which is testamount to his potential) but I find his talk here and the various ones posted during the World Cup campaign..a bit hollow.

I know it's silly to judge from small excerpts of videos but no one is really listening. He's says the right things and that's great but he's not really convincing anyone or even himself because he simply doesn't play with that same intensity he's trying to preach.

The fact even at 60-70% he is still a level above the rest of the pitch says enough but still, there are far too many transitions of play off the ball where his movement/intensity is very lacksidasal.

It's perhaps unrealistic of me to expect proper coordinated pressing/closing of space from him after 2 games under OGS but I bloody hope he picks it up because a motivated Pogba off the ball would make our midfield amazeballs.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said in the presser that Pogba’s attitude is perfect and that he played till he was tired! Further proof that the narratives about Pogba’s work ethic, commitment and application and just stories built on and sustained by bias.
 
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said in the presser that Pogba’s attitude is perfect and that he played till he was tired! Further proof that the narratives about Pogba’s work ethic, commitment and application and just stories built on and sustained by bias.

Would people listen to other players/coaches that actually played with him, the would already know that he is very professional. But it's so much easier to judge him because he has funky haircuts and posts on instagram...
 
The fact even at 60-70% he is still a level above the rest of the pitch says enough but still, there are far too many transitions of play off the ball where his movement/intensity is very lacksidasal.

It's perhaps unrealistic of me to expect proper coordinated pressing/closing of space from him after 2 games under OGS but I bloody hope he picks it up because a motivated Pogba off the ball would make our midfield amazeballs.

I don’t think people should expect him to be a hound. He has never played like that.
 
Defending a professional insulting a colleague of theirs by calling them a “virus” in front of teammates. Amazing!
We don't even know whether or not this happened. It's not something that I would say, but then I find the whole atmosphere in dressing rooms and general behaviour associated with football to be distasteful and ridiculous.

But I can assure you that worse things have been said in dressing rooms. That is common knowledge. And if you show a total lack of professionalism in what you're paid handsomely to do then you can expect some strong criticism. You'd better believe that Ferguson would have criticised him strongly, and I would suggest with more forceful language than merely 'virus'.

However, I would remind you that no-one ever likely to post on here even knows if this happened.
 
And I don’t know if you are a racist, but you hold very evidence-free, negative opinions about Pogba. In any event, bias isn’t necessarily racism IMO - it’s an important mechanism every human being uses to make decisions about what to believe or how to act when they don’t have much information. No one, aside from those close to Paul Pogba, has much meaningful information about his application and character, and yet narratives about his arrogance, narcissism, laziness, unprofessionalism, etc are so heavy in the English media and sell pretty well amongst English fans. That is called bias! And if you think race isn’t a part of it, I’ve got a bridge to sell you.
Race plays absolutely no role whatsoever in my opinion of Pogba's performances. It is insulting to suggest that it does. Everyone has a right to disagree with me, but I will not accept being branded racialist by someone who doesn't know me.

Furthermore, these are not 'narratives'. I haven't accused him of being arrogant, I don't know him personally. Accusations of narcissism come from his social media profile and seeming desire to constantly be the centre of attention. As I've said previously, I personally believe that the whole culture is becoming more narcissistic in general, so Pogba is only really a product of this. This accusation could be equally accurately aimed at, for example, Cristiano Ronaldo, but you certainly cannot criticise him for having a poor attitude on the field of play.

I haven't specifically called Pogba lazy, I don't think. I don't know if he is lazy or not, and as I'm lazy I would be skating on thin ice! However, his performances and attitudes have, at times, been unprofessional and lackadaisical. This is nothing to do with the colour of his skin or ethnicity, it is an easily observed reality that has been pointed out by many people.

Indeed, just this week, Garth Crooks said the following:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46696457

Paul Pogba:
Two well-taken goals against Huddersfield have laid down a marker. His dreadful hairstyles have also slowly disappeared as well. I really hope these are the signs of a much more mature player. With Jose Mourinho gone, Pogba is also starting to play with a freedom that was absent earlier in the season. Graeme Souness has given the best analysis of Pogba I have ever heard. Should Pogba happen to listen to the Liverpool and Scottish legend, he too could become a really great player.
So is Garth Crooks racist? Is Garth Crooks guilty of pushing a prejudiced narrative? Or does he just have two working eyeballs, and can easily observe that Pogba has acted like a prima donna at times?
 
Race plays absolutely no role whatsoever in my opinion of Pogba's performances. It is insulting to suggest that it does. Everyone has a right to disagree with me, but I will not accept being branded racialist by someone who doesn't know me.

Furthermore, these are not 'narratives'. I haven't accused him of being arrogant, I don't know him personally. Accusations of narcissism come from his social media profile and seeming desire to constantly be the centre of attention. As I've said previously, I personally believe that the whole culture is becoming more narcissistic in general, so Pogba is only really a product of this. This accusation could be equally accurately aimed at, for example, Cristiano Ronaldo, but you certainly cannot criticise him for having a poor attitude on the field of play.

I haven't specifically called Pogba lazy, I don't think. I don't know if he is lazy or not, and as I'm lazy I would be skating on thin ice! However, his performances and attitudes have, at times, been unprofessional and lackadaisical. This is nothing to do with the colour of his skin or ethnicity, it is an easily observed reality that has been pointed out by many people.

Indeed, just this week, Garth Crooks said the following:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46696457

So is Garth Crooks racist? Is Garth Crooks guilty of pushing a prejudiced narrative? Or does he just have two working eyeballs, and can easily observe that Pogba has acted like a prima donna at times?

Garth Crooks is just an idiot tbh.
 
So is Garth Crooks racist? Is Garth Crooks guilty of pushing a prejudiced narrative? Or does he just have two working eyeballs, and can easily observe that Pogba has acted like a prima donna at times?

It's not only about racism but about being opposed to anything that is out of the ordinary. This shows poor judgement. Do we really need to remind the world of Ronaldo's haircut in 2002? This a litteraly no impact on the pitch. None.

As for Pogba being unprofessional, it would imply that he would play poorly on purpose and i really don't think it's the case. Down in a hole, not in the right mindframe, probably, but unprofessional is a stretch. I don't understand the fact that people say he should have kept his mouth shut when Mourniho was obviously going nuts with what he asked from the players. Man Utd's players that actually took the disagreements public made the club a huge favor by accelerating Mourinho's firing so the team still have a chance to make an unlikely comeback. It would have been impossible under Mourinho.
 
This is as much an observation as also a criticism (because of the fact he still has more to give, which is testamount to his potential) but I find his talk here and the various ones posted during the World Cup campaign..a bit hollow.

I know it's silly to judge from small excerpts of videos but no one is really listening. He's says the right things and that's great but he's not really convincing anyone or even himself because he simply doesn't play with that same intensity he's trying to preach.

The fact even at 60-70% he is still a level above the rest of the pitch says enough but still, there are far too many transitions of play off the ball where his movement/intensity is very lacksidasal.

It's perhaps unrealistic of me to expect proper coordinated pressing/closing of space from him after 2 games under OGS but I bloody hope he picks it up because a motivated Pogba off the ball would make our midfield amazeballs.

Right before a game your head is really just muddled up and trying to focus on the game. The key point you made is that at 60% he is better than anyone on that pitch and that is exactly why his teammates listen to him. They are inspired by his rally speeches. No doubt about that
 
Look at this fecker. What a massive influence he has on people around him. People just love him. He's the coolest kid in school.
 
We don't even know whether or not this happened. It's not something that I would say, but then I find the whole atmosphere in dressing rooms and general behaviour associated with football to be distasteful and ridiculous.

But I can assure you that worse things have been said in dressing rooms. That is common knowledge. And if you show a total lack of professionalism in what you're paid handsomely to do then you can expect some strong criticism. You'd better believe that Ferguson would have criticised him strongly, and I would suggest with more forceful language than merely 'virus'.

However, I would remind you that no-one ever likely to post on here even knows if this happened.

The 'virus' story was broken by Duncan Castles, Mourinho's long time mouthpiece and basically his PR guy in the media. You think it's a coincidence?
 
Look at this fecker. What a massive influence he has on people around him. People just love him. He's the coolest kid in school.


Mourinho was super jealous of his popularity in the dressing room. Too bad so many fans bought into his virus rubbish
 
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said in the presser that Pogba’s attitude is perfect and that he played till he was tired! Further proof that the narratives about Pogba’s work ethic, commitment and application and just stories built on and sustained by bias.

Would people listen to other players/coaches that actually played with him, the would already know that he is very professional. But it's so much easier to judge him because he has funky haircuts and posts on instagram...
I don’t think people should expect him to be a hound. He has never played like that.

Firstly, my thoughts on Pogba since day one has been pretty much always in his favour. I have never doubted his ability and effect on our game even during Mourinho's ridiculous margalising.

If anything, my observation is just because I rate him so highly. I don't let any of the things outside of football cloud my judgement on what I see on the pitch.

I'm not questioning his professionalism or commitment per se, I just think he has more to give in terms of intensity/defensive transitional plays. It could be from his own instinct or from coaching. It's great he's higher up the pitch and pressing there but there are times in the middle of the pitch, he can be a bit smarter in cutting out the opposition runs from deep. It goes without saying that all of our players can improve in their own ways too.

Also the thing about no one paying attention, I think this also applies to Herrera. Herrera gives it his all and really embodies that intensity and concentration when he's let's his talking on the pitch; it's great he's shouting and screaming at players but deep down I don't think anyone is taking notice. I really should have made my post about two separate points because it's mostless a harmless comment from me. I realise what I'm really saying, to give a proper ridiculous analogy is that his/Herrera's words don't really command attention a traditional captain would lulz. It's just words/hype/noise you get from any player in football teams.
 
Look at this fecker. What a massive influence he has on people around him. People just love him. He's the coolest kid in school.

Look mate, he's a virus and I don't want to hear otherwise. He infects his teammates with all his laughs, smiles and fun antics. Much rather a miserable cnut and dark cloud of negativity all day
 
Mourinho was super jealous of his popularity in the dressing room. Too bad so many fans bought into his virus rubbish

More like Jose was scared of the influence Pogba had in the dressing room. You can see he is loved by all his team mates.
 
Look at this fecker. What a massive influence he has on people around him. People just love him. He's the coolest kid in school.


A happy virus. He's just an influential figure. I can see why Jose was threatened by that. His ego must have felt undermined.
 
People see his physique and expect him to be out there bursting a lung but Pogba is more Zidane than he is Essien. It is what it is.
 
Race plays absolutely no role whatsoever in my opinion of Pogba's performances. It is insulting to suggest that it does. Everyone has a right to disagree with me, but I will not accept being branded racialist by someone who doesn't know me.

Furthermore, these are not 'narratives'. I haven't accused him of being arrogant, I don't know him personally. Accusations of narcissism come from his social media profile and seeming desire to constantly be the centre of attention. As I've said previously, I personally believe that the whole culture is becoming more narcissistic in general, so Pogba is only really a product of this. This accusation could be equally accurately aimed at, for example, Cristiano Ronaldo, but you certainly cannot criticise him for having a poor attitude on the field of play.

I haven't specifically called Pogba lazy, I don't think. I don't know if he is lazy or not, and as I'm lazy I would be skating on thin ice! However, his performances and attitudes have, at times, been unprofessional and lackadaisical. This is nothing to do with the colour of his skin or ethnicity, it is an easily observed reality that has been pointed out by many people.

Indeed, just this week, Garth Crooks said the following:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46696457

So is Garth Crooks racist? Is Garth Crooks guilty of pushing a prejudiced narrative? Or does he just have two working eyeballs, and can easily observe that Pogba has acted like a prima donna at times?

First of all, I haven’t called you a “racialist” or a “racist”.

Secondly, Pogba’s “unprofessonalism” is not an “easily observed reality”. To know how professional or not Pogba is, you have to have intimate knowledge of his conduct, which almost everyone that accuses him of lack of professionalism doesn’t. If anything, those that do have that knowledge about Pogba, like his managers, have come out to specifically praise his character, attitude, talent, and professionalism. There’s far more solid evidence that like many attacking players in the past, Pogba, Martial, Sanchez, etc. simply struggled in Mourinho’s defensive system and became unhappy and lost form and consistency as a consequence (at least in Pogba’s case). And yet far too many pundits and fans insist on attacking Pogba’s character and professionalism.

How many Souness’ exhibited the same negativity about David Beckham’s character and professionalism? I’m old enough to remember that the English media and fans were largely charmed by Beckham’s haircuts and lifestyle.

So yes, like you, Garth Crooks is pushing a biased and negative narrative about Pogba that is light on evidence. I’m assuming you point Garth Crooks out to me because he’s black and you think that somehow that disproves the notion that race is an issue in the negativity around Pogba - not only is this a fallacious argument (my saying race is a factor in the negativity around Pogba is not the same thing as saying everyone with a negative opinion about Pogba is racist), it also shows that you just don’t understand the social dynamics around race and implicit bias. Raheem Sterling highlighted a clear example about the relationship between narratives about players and race that explains this better: two young players, one black and one white, both do something similar, but narrative starkly different.


https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.ya...ession-alleged-racist-indicent-180338977.html
 
I was just going through a few performances this year from Pogba and found this:



How much have we actually wasted of his talent? Did we allow him and the other players to build an understanding after this? No surprises it was everton game and no surprises lukaku didn't play.

Our front three was Lingard - Martial - Mata. The movement and chemistry between the attackers was the best we've seen the whole year. What a waste.
 
What I love about Pogba is how unique he is on the pitch. He might not be one of the best, but the way he does things; how he moves around the pitch, passes the ball, dribbles, etc... he really has a special way of doing it. A marketer's wet dream, really.
 
What I love about Pogba is how unique he is on the pitch. He might not be one of the best, but the way he does things; how he moves around the pitch, passes the ball, dribbles, etc... he really has a special way of doing it. A marketer's wet dream, really.

charisma and elegance
 
I think it's mad how anyone has bought into this fecking stupid drama. He is our best player followed closely by martial. It's surely not even up for debate.... Just watch him FFS. Build a team around him he is pure class and we will get results. He is like cantona and scholes merged together. stop believing everything you read.

It's mad everyone see's something some shit journalist has written to make headlines and a payday for himself and suddenly it's true. Jease and lukaka are his best mates. guarantee him a good team to be built around him which he deserves and he will stay. Jesus look at the goals v Huddersfield he has pure class
 
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Race plays absolutely no role whatsoever in my opinion of Pogba's performances. It is insulting to suggest that it does. Everyone has a right to disagree with me, but I will not accept being branded racialist by someone who doesn't know me.

Furthermore, these are not 'narratives'. I haven't accused him of being arrogant, I don't know him personally. Accusations of narcissism come from his social media profile and seeming desire to constantly be the centre of attention. As I've said previously, I personally believe that the whole culture is becoming more narcissistic in general, so Pogba is only really a product of this. This accusation could be equally accurately aimed at, for example, Cristiano Ronaldo, but you certainly cannot criticise him for having a poor attitude on the field of play.

I haven't specifically called Pogba lazy, I don't think. I don't know if he is lazy or not, and as I'm lazy I would be skating on thin ice! However, his performances and attitudes have, at times, been unprofessional and lackadaisical. This is nothing to do with the colour of his skin or ethnicity, it is an easily observed reality that has been pointed out by many people.

Indeed, just this week, Garth Crooks said the following:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/46696457

So is Garth Crooks racist? Is Garth Crooks guilty of pushing a prejudiced narrative? Or does he just have two working eyeballs, and can easily observe that Pogba has acted like a prima donna at times?

It sounded like a good post, then your last sentence pretty much reveals something else. A skewed opinion that's actually not based on facts or working eyeballs. Pogba has never acted like a prima donna, he wouldn't be as appreciated by his teammates if that was the case, he would not have survived at Juventus were that the case, he wouldn't be a world-cup winning champion under Deschamps if that were the case. Which brings me to a point that is so clear to see on these boards, you among others just repeat what you hear some pundits say and recycle the same accusations. The man isn't, and never has been a primadonna. Fair enough on his performances, but that doesn't equate to being unprofessional when the team as a whole had the dark cloud of Mourinho hanging over them. If the team was clicking and Pogba was dragging them down willingly, you'd have a point. It's just not accurate and it's time to stop perpetrating the myth that the man is this arrogant diva as it couldn't be further from the truth. I don't know the man personally, but I got to meet him in person with my friend in Miami who has a 4 year old son, and Pogba spent an entire hour playing with the kid who isn't very good. There were no cameras, and no one reported it, he's just a genuinely good person and it's tiring to see the media paint this image that's just not true, Rahim Sterling exposed the bias in the media and people eat it up and regurgitate the same nonsense. So maybe you're not part of this agenda, but you certainly know some of their lines.
 
It sounded like a good post, then your last sentence pretty much reveals something else. A skewed opinion that's actually not based on facts or working eyeballs. Pogba has never acted like a prima donna, he wouldn't be as appreciated by his teammates if that was the case, he would not have survived at Juventus were that the case, he wouldn't be a world-cup winning champion under Deschamps if that were the case. Which brings me to a point that is so clear to see on these boards, you among others just repeat what you hear some pundits say and recycle the same accusations. The man isn't, and never has been a primadonna. Fair enough on his performances, but that doesn't equate to being unprofessional when the team as a whole had the dark cloud of Mourinho hanging over them. If the team was clicking and Pogba was dragging them down willingly, you'd have a point. It's just not accurate and it's time to stop perpetrating the myth that the man is this arrogant diva as it couldn't be further from the truth. I don't know the man personally, but I got to meet him in person with my friend in Miami who has a 4 year old son, and Pogba spent an entire hour playing with the kid who isn't very good. There were no cameras, and no one reported it, he's just a genuinely good person and it's tiring to see the media paint this image that's just not true, Rahim Sterling exposed the bias in the media and people eat it up and regurgitate the same nonsense. So maybe you're not part of this agenda, but you certainly know some of their lines.

Great post! You see this everywhere, people spouting unsubstantiated nonsense about Pogba spoon fed to them by the negative story pushing media. I think its pretty awesome you got to meet him in person and spend that much time in his presence. Did you take any pictures?
 
Great post! You see this everywhere, people spouting unsubstantiated nonsense about Pogba spoon fed to them by the negative story pushing media. I think its pretty awesome you got to meet him in person and spend that much time in his presence. Did you take any pictures?

No, I'm not really into taking pictures with celebrities or people in general, I'm weird with pictures but he was happy to take some with anybody who's asked. I don't know him as I said, but my friend organizes indoor games in Miami and has had tons of famous current or former players come through, so he always has tons of connections and he's got plenty of pictures of his son with Pogba and Griezmann (since they were both in Miami at that time). He struck me as a really genuine person who has a love for people, and not at all some big-headed diva. I got to play against his brothers though and that was rough going, they weren't messing about.
 
What I love about Pogba is how unique he is on the pitch. He might not be one of the best, but the way he does things; how he moves around the pitch, passes the ball, dribbles, etc... he really has a special way of doing it. A marketer's wet dream, really.
He has magic in him and tries things others would never try.
 
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