[Classical Mechanic]

Fernandes and Rashford are clearly naturally fitter, they're smaller and lighter which does make a difference. Pogba is 6'4 and a heavy frame, his type of body clearly needs more recovery time.

If it was just Pogba i'd say it's on him, the issue is though both Rashford and Fernandes look shot too!. Clearly the whole squad is suffering with not enough recovery time, some people here seem to think 2/3 days (plus travel) is enough to recover and still play at your maximum

I really do think Ole should have sacrificed either the semi final or the west ham match and just heavily rotated. While yes they are "able" to play, they're not sharp enough to actually effect anything. Performance across the whole team has massively dropped off and there's no coincidence why.

Pogba only played 188/270 minutes of the last 3 games before West Ham. It's almost equivalent to playing 2 games instead of 3. He's literally the player that has been rested the most of the starters and has by far the least minutes on the clock of the starters this season.

 

[kiristao]

He really didn't look interested yesterday. On several occasions he literally pulled out of challenges. I can understand things not coming off like they did for Rashford or Bruno but just not putting in the effort is in excusable.

 

[BeltUp]

I can take mistakes but I don't think his attitude is right. The number of times he lackadasically receives the ball in a dangerous area and gets tackled or gives the ball away is too much for me. His play lacks energy and enthusiasm much of the time. Maybe that's just the way he is but I perceive it as arrogance. I'd rather have a slightly less talented player with a better attitude replace him as I don't think his contribution to the team will be missed.

 

[Jeppers7]

That would be because this thread is about Paul Pogba.

If you want to pump your veins full of people shitting on Matic keep an eye out for the thread with his name on the top. You’ll enjoy it.

Why are you only ever here to criticise him then? Where were you a few games ago when the team was playing well. Sad act.

 

[Thiagoal]

I think he’s just a bit of a wimp to be honest. Shies away from 50/50’s, would rather give away a penalty than take a ball to his face- quite disgraceful when considering how much he’s paid but he won’t change.

 

[Robertd0803]

Shameful. He owes the team a massive performance on Sunday not just an apology.

 

[Jeppers7]

I've been laughing at this non-stop



feck sake

The funniest thing about this is Antonio’s dive for the free kick about 30 seconds earlier. Literally did the same thing. Acted out of self preservation, the fanny.

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

I feel if we use him deeper against Leceister, they will exploit him

 

[POF]

It was absolutely incredible. It wasn't even point blank.

It's like one of those videos you see of someone in the crowd getting smacked in the head by a wayward shot because they weren't paying attention.

Everyone laughs because they deserve it for not watching the game. What excuse does your record signing have of those levels of concentration in a must win game?

I genuinely wouldn't start him at Leicester. It's one of those games where the first goal is crucial and the team chasing the game is at a disadvantage. Having a functional midfield who won't gift the opposition a goal is a better option.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

He's a fanny and he may well have cost the club Champions League football next season. He is not as good as we think, a very good player but not a top tier midfielder. I like him, but wouldn't be rewarding him with a new contract like some rumours are suggesting.

 

[Raven]

I hate our fan base. It's pretty clear that everyone in the team is out on their feet, with the exception of (maybe) Martial. I probably would have taken the shot in the kisser because I'm an idiot and he didn't, which really pissed me off at the time, but I thought he was decent after that.

He's still one of our best players, is just can't wait to get this Leicester game over with and give the lads a bit of a rest.

 

[TsuWave]

People are crazy, if that ball is flying at my face I would have done the exact same thing.

also:



they all reacted similarly, with Maguire taking cover behind his team mates. No one is consciously taking that ball to face (unless previously warned that the ball will come flying at it, and even then)

 

[izzydiggler]

The desparation of some people to absolve Pogba for the pen is laughable.

He fecked up without question...it doesn't make him the devil etc but it was a very poor and costly mistake.

 

[Hugh Jass]

We are going to have to accept that we were conned when we bought him for 80 million. He is not an 80 million pound player. He is a 40 million pound player.

If we get a decent offer, i would be tempted to sell.

 

[RUCK4444]

We are going to have to accept that we were conned when we bought him for 80 million. He is not an 80 million pound player. He is a 40 million pound player.

If we get a decent offer, i would be tempted to sell.

In 2005? Not even in a Covid ravaged world is Paul Pogba only worth 40 million.

Look at this thread when he came back and instantly linked with Bruno. If it makes you feel better to pretend he's a 40 million pound player then do so by all means.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

People are crazy, if that ball is flying at my face I would have done the exact same thing.

also:



they all reacted similarly, with Maguire taking cover behind his team mates. No one is consciously taking that ball to face (unless previously warned that the ball will come flying at it, and even then)

This what you're supposed to do



No ifs no buts. It doesn't absolve him if KDB did it either.

 

[kouroux]

Your instincts and his United career to date, I’d say.

Whether it's physical or mental fatigue, I'll be highly surprised if him or any of other players have a huge game. If only we could hire Mourinho for one ugly draw...

 

[Pogue Mahone]

People are crazy, if that ball is flying at my face I would have done the exact same thing.

also:



they all reacted similarly, with Maguire taking cover behind his team mates. No one is consciously taking that ball to face (unless previously warned that the ball will come flying at it, and even then)

Only Pogba deliberately played the ball with his hands. Nobody would have blamed him for taking evasive action. The ball wasn’t even heading towards the goal. The other three all have a much more appropriate reaction.

 

[poleglass red]

I agree that Pogba shouldn't have risked getting a sore head from blocking the ball. I also want from now on, for him, not to engage in any tackling, esp 50-50's as there is a chance he might get hurt in said collision. I also don't want him sprinting at any point in any games due to risk of pulling a hamstring. I also don't want him jogging either as if pitch is uneven he could go over on his ankle. I don't want him to pass the ball with any power for fear he isn't properly warmed up and could pull a muscle. He's our prized asset we have to protect him

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Only Pogba deliberately played the ball with his hands. Nobody would have blamed him for taking evasive action. The ball wasn’t even heading towards the goal. The other three all have a much more appropriate reaction.

He ducked under the ball as well anyway.

 

[jem]

He is obviously a very good player, but I can't help but wonder if giving him a lucrative new long-term contract might be yet another decision we end up lamenting (much like De Gea's new contract.) He'd certainly need replacing, but I'd be tempted if you could get two good players with the funds generated (that of course assumes Woodward and co. would be able to spend that money well, which is an iffy assumption.)

 

[kouroux]

If I'm afraid of the ball, I'd do my best to avoid all contact with it and that includes my hands.

 

[bond19821982]

Players are also human. Cut him some slack. Its not a mistake but just a timing issue

 

[drdoityourself]

It was hit very hard and came unexpectedly towards them as it was going a long way wide, that's why all three of them (Lindelöf, Pogba and TFM) had quite extreme reactions. It wasn't point blank but they weren't prepared for it. A poor penalty to give away but a mistake I feel is understandable. The fanbase, the media all jump on every bad thing he does and completely torch the guy. A first half penalty in a game we levelled very early in the second half. A leveller that was started by a pass between the lines by Pogba (McTominay received praise for the same against Crystal Palace).

What followed was a very leggy performance by the whole team. He is somehow expected to be fresher because he played fewer games before the lockdown. Is it really how it goes? A player who doesn't play for a whole season is expected to come in and play at a maximum capacity in every game? No, these are usually the players who tail off after a few games and need rest.

He kept possession well, but didn't seem to have any power left in him. Every other player will be called fatigued, he somehow will get called disinterested.

Try supporting the guy when he fecks up, I've never seen a player so hounded by his own clubs' fans every time he actually needs them.

 

[Shark]

He really didn't look interested yesterday. On several occasions he literally pulled out of challenges. I can understand things not coming off like they did for Rashford or Bruno but just not putting in the effort is in excusable.

He was the exact same at the end of last season. I seriously think we need to question rather it's worth offering this guy a big contract.

 

[ghaliboy]

He's a good player but he really isn't that good. He may have built a legacy at Juve but at United he has an absurd amount of paid forward hype that doesn't justify what he's given this team over the last couple of years. I don't dislike the guy but he clearly doesn't fit the style of the league, if you can't be arsed to get over the top of shit midfielders who get up on you then there is little to no real point trying to carry yourself as if all that paid forward hype is real. Fanging a 60 yard welly looks great when it comes off and is shoved into a compilation but it really doesn't fit the rhythm of the output of the team when you watch a full 90 minutes. If you look at what Bruno has come in and done with this team then it really begs the question "what is the point of him playing second fiddle to that and genuinely looking it?.."

I feel like he will sign a new deal and stay. If he does I would like to see him show some maturity and acceptance that he needs to work on his game and adapt as a player to fit in the league going forward. If he does end up leaving this little patch looks pretty embarrassing on his career legacy if he cares that much about it.

 

[Hugh Jass]

He's a good player but he really isn't that good. He may have built a legacy at Juve but at United he has an absurd amount of paid forward hype that doesn't justify what he's given this team over the last couple of years. I don't dislike the guy but he clearly doesn't fit the style of the league, if you can't be arsed to get over the top of shit midfielders who get up on you then there is little to no real point trying to carry yourself as if all that paid forward hype is real. Fanging a 60 yard welly looks great when it comes off and is shoved into a compilation but it really doesn't fit the rhythm of the output of the team when you watch a full 90 minutes. If you look at what Bruno has come in and done with this team then it really begs the question "what is the point of him playing second fiddle to that and genuinely looking it?.."

I feel like he will sign a new deal and stay. If he does I would like to see him show some maturity and acceptance that he needs to work on his game and adapt as a player to fit in the league going forward. If he does end up leaving this little patch looks pretty embarrassing on his career legacy if he cares that much about it.

This. He is not near as good as the hype surrounding him. We have to accept this rather than hoping for him pull out these brilliant performances.

Even if he was really good he can only do it once every three or four games. He is not consistent at all.

We were conned. He is worth only halfish what we paid for him really.

 

[kiristao]

This. He is not near as good as the hype surrounding him. We have to accept this rather than hoping for him pull out these brilliant performances.

Even if he was really good he can only do it once every three or four games. He is not consistent at all.

We were conned. He is worth only halfish what we paid for him really.

I think he is as good as he is made out to be. The problem is that he doesn't seem to have the hard work and motivation required to put that ability to use. When he is motivated and up for a fight, he is unplayable.

 

[poleglass red]

He's a luxury player and I don't mean that in a nasty way. He will do one great 50 yard pass or a piece of skill in a game, it makes the highlight reel and everyone thinks he was man of the match when in fact he was poor for 3/4 of the game. It is what it is because when it's comes off it's top class. A lot of people,some scottish pundits included, are looking at his price and thinking, he should be running the game, dictating the pace. He doesn't do that , never has, what he does is within a balanced team he can be effective. Right now we've fernandes playing forward, Matic too far back and Pogba swanning around midfield, there is too much of a gap, hence every time a team breaks against us we look vunerable. If we persist with Fernandes and Pogba, we will need ab absolute work horse in mid to compensate for their lack of defensive cover and Pogba's propensity to drift out of games. We are going to have to make this work as I don't see anyone putting up the kind of money we'd want if he left

 

[kopviolator]

I'm not a fan but the time between the West Ham player striking the ball and hitting Pogba is between 0,3-0,4 seconds. These are just normal reflexes. Playing the ball with his hands, gimme a break.

 

[keithsingleton]

Pogba gets far to much criticism for my liking on here. Granted he doesn't always play well but who does? When he's on his game there's no player I like watching better than him although Greenwood catching him up.

He's a big social media reader as we know. Pretty sure he reads all the negative post which can effect players sometimes.

#Pobathebest.

 

[JPRouve]

I'm not a fan but the time between the West Ham player striking the ball and hitting Pogba is between 0,3-0,4 seconds. These are just normal reflexes. Playing the ball with his hands, gimme a break.

The weird thing about it is that I tried to remember how I have reacted in similar situations and I don't think that I have ever thought about what I was going to do. I have been caught like a deer in the headlight and smashed, I have ducked, tried to head, stayed in the middle like an idiot, turned my back, handballed it, punched it. Truth be told, I couldn't anticipate my reaction which makes the reaction from the four players very surprising because they all try to duck/hide, they all have a similar reaction.

 

[Adam-Utd]

I'm not a fan but the time between the West Ham player striking the ball and hitting Pogba is between 0,3-0,4 seconds. These are just normal reflexes. Playing the ball with his hands, gimme a break.

exactly. It's a literal human reaction, fight or flight type stuff

The ball comes at him at some serious speed and without even thinking he puts his hands up to protect himself. It is what it is.

The muppets above saying he did it on purpose are nutcases. How could he even think that fast to even decide that?

They just want to cause shit because its Pogba. Bet if Fernandes did it there wouldn't even be a discussion "natural reaction what else can he do"

 

[Hugh Jass]

The only time i see Pogba really play well is when we are winning by three goals. When the game is tough, he usually vanishes.

If he stays we will be having the same argument in two or three years time about him. The best thing we can do is accept he is not as good a player as he is made out to be.

I was looking at himself and Matic last night and Matic looked the much better MF. Matic was able to read the game. He was composed under pressure. He was able to play a forward pass. Pogba could do none of those things and he is the 80 million pound world cup winner.

It is the same with Mourinho, in that we were conned about him.

 

[JPRouve]

The only time i see Pogba really play well is when we are winning by three goals. When the game is tough, he usually vanishes.

If he stays we will be having the same argument in two or three years time about him. The best thing we can do is accept he is not as good a player as he is made out to be.

I was looking at himself and Matic last night and Matic looked the much better MF. Matic was able to read the game. He was composed under pressure. He was able to play a forward pass. Pogba could do none of those things and he is the 80 million pound world cup winner.

It is the same with Mourinho, in that we were conned about him.

And I assume that he isn't part of the reason we are winning by three goals? Logically when the game is tough, it's because the team isn't playing well which means that the players are playing well. And Matic was dreadful yesterday no one looked much better than someone else, Matic was late in almost everything he tried.

 

[sugar_kane]

People are crazy, if that ball is flying at my face I would have done the exact same thing.

also:



they all reacted similarly, with Maguire taking cover behind his team mates. No one is consciously taking that ball to face (unless previously warned that the ball will come flying at it, and even then)

looks like he's pushing forward Lindelof screaming "TAKE THE BOY!!"

 

[Hugh Jass]

It starts on Pogba at 5.00 minutes. They have been saying it for the last three or four years. Inconsistent and does not want to work and we would be better off without.

 

[RUCK4444]

And I assume that he isn't part of the reason we are winning by three goals? Logically when the game is tough, it's because the team isn't playing well which means that the players are playing well. And Matic was dreadful yesterday no one looked much better than someone else, Matic was late in almost everything he tried.

I mentioned this last night. Matic was fecking awful, SO SO slow on the ball, killing the momentum and putting us under pressure.

People need their Pogba-Crutch to cope with the stress of a difficult result.

 

[RUCK4444]

People are crazy, if that ball is flying at my face I would have done the exact same thing.

also:



they all reacted similarly, with Maguire taking cover behind his team mates. No one is consciously taking that ball to face (unless previously warned that the ball will come flying at it, and even then)

If TFM had time to turn his head then so did Pogba. Seriously, it's a stone wall penalty, and that's before you factor in the current extreme VAR rules where even if a ball is blasted at your hand in the penalty box from 1 yard it's a penalty.

I mean, have people not seen the hand ball penalties given this season?? If so then how the feck could you then say this one from Pogba is not be a pen?? C'mon it's a shocker.

I wouldn't even condone turning your head, if your in a wall then you are (or should be!) prepared to head the feckin ball. Are you seriously suggesting he was stood in a wall and didn't expect that the ball may come in his direction?

 

[kopviolator]

The weird thing about it is that I tried to remember how I have reacted in similar situations and I don't think that I have ever thought about what I was going to do. I have been caught like a deer in the headlight and smashed, I have ducked, tried to head, stayed in the middle like an idiot, turned my back, handballed it, punched it. Truth be told, I couldn't anticipate my reaction which makes the reaction from the four players very surprising because they all try to duck/hide, they all have a similar reaction.

True. I suppose it's possible to line up in a wall and make a decision beforehand, to jump and not raise your hands, but easier said than done. If you see it coming though, it's natural reaction to protect yourself. Those who don't do it are the ones who don't see it coming in most cases I suspect.