You think? He was in there as the deeplying playmaker. Matuidi and later Kante were the ball winners in there.
Paul Pogba | Undergoing Medical | Helping out the Laundry Ladies
- Thread starter KM
- Start date
Everyone just put him on ignore, don't feed the trolls.
Seriously, would be the best thing to do.
We did fine from 2008-2013 without any world class Cm's, players like Griezmann are the ones that win you things.
No he wasn't, he had he same role than Matuidi. His role only changed when Kante came in.
Would be even better to see him get banned
Anyway, I can't see Juventus turning down an offer like 100 million. Juve seem determined to keep him and build a Champions League winning side but I don't think they'll turn down an offer like that and hopefully after the Euros are done Pogba let's them know that he wants to leave which will push them to sell.
just remove him from the twitter feed, he's clearly making things out. 5-year old real fan would make this story up. Not that the initial stories about our interest and about that Pogba told his friend... stories are true in the first place, it makes it even worse...
Guillem Twatlague
I said 100m should be spent on Griezmann alone if anyone rather than Pogba alone. I think we have a glaring need for a presence at number 10 too, because right now it looks like Rooney will take that role.
What is he making up, exactly?
Technically he can, if we hadn't let him go in the first place.
We all want the Pogbas, Messis, Bales of this world, but at what cost? No-one in their right mind on here doesn't want him, but where do you draw the line in terms of transfer fees?
Yes football has changed, but the cost is ridiculous.
I don't think he is making it up. I can honestly see Real Madrid briefing journalists that Pogba was desperate to join them but United massively overspent to price them out. You know what their propaganda machine is like.
Why are you talking about the past like we change it?
The thing is, Juventus is ready to reject a 100M euro bid buddy. So we're trying with 120M euro now. Can you imagine that? This is the market... and for this year, we will have to cope with it. We don't need another big transfer straight away next year, but we need to show our financial muscles now.
Strange way to look it when it looks like it'll have cost us £100 million to have developed him.
That's harsh on Scholes and Giggs who provided 'world class' experience and skill.
Sounds about right.
It seems that by paying Raiola, we are opening a new door where we've never been, and most major clubs don't want to go: pay an extra transfer fee to the agent to make sure it happens (somehow). That's a dangerous game but let's hope it gets done for Pogba and Juventus is "forced" to sell, given the amount, how many chairs Mino throws, etc...
Giggs rarely played CM and Scholes was used sparingly, we already have Carrick and Bastian who can do that job.
He was the playmaker, Matuidi was the ball winner, they weren't playing identical roles.
He just signed a five year contract till 2021. What makes you think he is going to be available? And Athletico have no reason to sell either. They are a top 5 team in Europe right now.
@VP89 we have a need for a few positions. Number 10 being another. There are not that many players of Pogba's current or potential level, even less who would want to come, even less who are available. Rooney can play 10, its not ideal but it will do. Who can we stick in midfield? TFM? Hopefully in a few years. But we need instant impact, and we need it in midfield.
We had a world class manager, a Ballon D'Or and the best defense in Europe for a year or two. Yep its the exact same situation.
Feed @GlastonSpur cake. Bottler's Cake.
That was me, although I've seen the rumour several times. The conversation on here just descended into an argument about a sliding scale of 'blackness' and is really best left alone.
Carrick and Bastian being our best options in midfield is one of the reasons why the midfield was so easily overrun by quick opposition. How can you feel easy going into a new season with only Carrick and Bastian as our glue? They are geriatric.
Not sure if they would(BBC and behind them they need midfield 3), he isnt flashy enough for them IMO
I agree, if we win the midfield battle, even Rooney can score if he receives 20 balls per match. Zlatan, Martial, Henrikh or Rashford will all be able to score more too. It's the area where the impact is almost instantaneous.
I don't understand the opinion that we need world class attacking players but the midfield and defence can be left alone because they aren't that important. It's a team sport and Barcelona & Bayern aren't great because they have a few good attackers; they're great because they have a great attack, great midfield, and great defence. We already have a strong attack, now we need to strengthen midfield. Spending £100m on another forward would be reckless.
On the other hand...we're the "world's biggest club" yet we practically never buy genuine, recognised world stars. Our tradition of favouring youth is great, and noble, but the fact is that we have a mere 3 European Cups; spending big money domestically works out fine for us...if our ambitions are only to dominate domestically, and not on a world or European level.
Exactly.
We now have a WC manager who is working on the defence, we are missing a Ballon D'or calibre attacker, i think you have just proved my point that we are better off spending 100m on such a player instead of an up and coming CM.
I don't think Deschamps utilized a real ball winner this game. Matuidi when France defended higher in the first half was watching Emre Can as well as keeping a shape of double pivot with Pogba.
When France defended deep, Matuidi's job was man marking Emre Can (Muller at times too) who mixed into France channel (gap between Evra and Umtiti). If Umtiti or Evra was free and could take care of Emre Can, Matuidi returned to midfield. When Emre Can was not in the channel, Matuidi job was to man mark whoever (German players: Muller, Kroos, Draxler...) dropped deep into the area before the CBs. Matuidi was like a third CB at times. While Payet and Sissojho played narrow and make a 3 midfield shape with Pogba. Matuidi was like a false CM in the first half. In second half, he had more freedom as Bastian was tired and Emre Can needed to stay back to guard France counter attack Matuidi was more traditional box to box in this half until Kante subbed on which Matuidi moved to left wing.
Pogba was the anchor role, a mark the whole France team position/ operating defensively according to. If I can make Gifs, I can show that in majority of French defensive play, Pogba was the central in term of distance between him and almost every France outfield players to him. He is the heart of the defensive set up! Pogba only takes action when Germany breach through defensive shape of France, for example: the Kroos' slipped near the penalty box (penalty case), Pogba tried to block Kimmick curved ball hit the post... and needed to cover the area whenever Matuidi does what I said above (need great awareness and communication)
Pogba may look lazy and uninvolved, but IMO he is perfect tactically this game (he did made some technical error, passing,ball controlling...) He was great spotting the danger or the chance to relieve pressure or start counter attack. True silent domination. Mourinho needs a midfield general that has his vision. Pogba showed he has that vision. Germany dominated possession first half and put tremendous pressure on France. Pogba played huge role in keeping France defensive shape intact. Soak up the pressure and calmly get out of the defense into attack. He delivered in attack too with the play in the second goal. (Matuidi and Pogba pressing for the ball prior Pogba's show
)People tends to over appreciate energy bunny all action player like Kante or on ball contribution like Kroos passing, even Carrick's ball intercepting, but fail at time to recognize player who organize the shape of the team, know when to make the move (either attack or defend). Pogba had a great showing and didn't get recognized. No wonder Busquet is underrated here. Same with Makelele.
Last edited:
Ballague knows as much as he rest of us. Just because he wants Pogba to go to Madrid doesn't mean it's Pogba's first choice. It may well be however, but that doesn't mean he's against the thought of coming here. Almost every credible source says that he is open to a move to United. We have got Ibra for free and Mkhitaryan for relatively cheap. If we have to overspend here, then so be it. We should try get it done and all of a sudden we have a squad which, in my opinion makes us not just title challengers, but favourties for the title.
I know, many people, especially oppostition fans will laugh at that, and maybe they are right, maybe I'm blinkered. But Pogba is exactly what our midfield was missing last year, Mkhitaryan is exactly what we were missing on the right and Zlatan is exactly what we were missing up front. He might not reach the heights he reached in France last year, but I think he will undoubtedly score and create goals. We have Martial coming of a fantastic debut season and will likely spend the majority of the season on the left wing. He, also will add goals. Rashford looks an absolute star in the making and can come in anywhere across the front three.
Our defence, looked shaky at times and many people will say De Gea saved us more often than we'd like and there may be some truth in that. We had the joint best defensive record in the league lsat year, if I'm not mistaken, so to put that solely down to De Gea would be ridiculous. Bailly, I don't know a huge amount about, but if he can improve our defence at all, then we're solid at the back. Also, Mourinho is known for putting out a well organised defence.
So if Pogba is the missing piece and it looks to everyone as though he is, then you spend the money and you get him. We've complained on these boards for long enough about missing out on our top targets. Not all of those were missed because of money, but rather than spend another season giving out that Woodward couldn't get a deal done, we should be happy that we're being aggressive in the transfer market and chasing the player that Mourinho seems to want. We're not short of cash. This isn't going to hamper is from signing other targets if we need them, be it this summer, January or next year. If we get Pgoba and we win the title or at least challenge and get back into the Champions League for nest year then between not losing out on the addidas deal and the CL money, we'll have the bulk of what we 'overspent' made back (in that, if most people agree that Pogba is worth 60-80 million then gettting CL is probably worth 30-40 million to us).
In short, get it done...
I know, many people, especially oppostition fans will laugh at that, and maybe they are right, maybe I'm blinkered. But Pogba is exactly what our midfield was missing last year, Mkhitaryan is exactly what we were missing on the right and Zlatan is exactly what we were missing up front. He might not reach the heights he reached in France last year, but I think he will undoubtedly score and create goals. We have Martial coming of a fantastic debut season and will likely spend the majority of the season on the left wing. He, also will add goals. Rashford looks an absolute star in the making and can come in anywhere across the front three.
Our defence, looked shaky at times and many people will say De Gea saved us more often than we'd like and there may be some truth in that. We had the joint best defensive record in the league lsat year, if I'm not mistaken, so to put that solely down to De Gea would be ridiculous. Bailly, I don't know a huge amount about, but if he can improve our defence at all, then we're solid at the back. Also, Mourinho is known for putting out a well organised defence.
So if Pogba is the missing piece and it looks to everyone as though he is, then you spend the money and you get him. We've complained on these boards for long enough about missing out on our top targets. Not all of those were missed because of money, but rather than spend another season giving out that Woodward couldn't get a deal done, we should be happy that we're being aggressive in the transfer market and chasing the player that Mourinho seems to want. We're not short of cash. This isn't going to hamper is from signing other targets if we need them, be it this summer, January or next year. If we get Pgoba and we win the title or at least challenge and get back into the Champions League for nest year then between not losing out on the addidas deal and the CL money, we'll have the bulk of what we 'overspent' made back (in that, if most people agree that Pogba is worth 60-80 million then gettting CL is probably worth 30-40 million to us).
In short, get it done...
I think £100 mill is too much for him.
BUT since we keep claiming that we're one of the biggest and richest clubs around, ADIDAS, Woody and Mourinho wants a new shiny toy, i think it's about time that we held the world record transfer fee paid.
Especially since it's the type of player we need to get back to the top.
And to people who think we spend too much:
An overhaul of the squad was needed after SAF. Moyes and LvG didn't do it properly.
Moyes didn't have the pulling power of big names, or a clue what he was doing when he started the job.
LvG only wanted Dutch players, or players who could become good in a couple years, while he was using a star player like Di Maria wrong.
It is about time we splash the cash where needed... It will cost alot, but i reckon we will get rid of a couple players aswell.
BUT since we keep claiming that we're one of the biggest and richest clubs around, ADIDAS, Woody and Mourinho wants a new shiny toy, i think it's about time that we held the world record transfer fee paid.
Especially since it's the type of player we need to get back to the top.
And to people who think we spend too much:
An overhaul of the squad was needed after SAF. Moyes and LvG didn't do it properly.
Moyes didn't have the pulling power of big names, or a clue what he was doing when he started the job.
LvG only wanted Dutch players, or players who could become good in a couple years, while he was using a star player like Di Maria wrong.
It is about time we splash the cash where needed... It will cost alot, but i reckon we will get rid of a couple players aswell.
We dont need a Ballon D'Or. I said we had one. We didnt buy him. We groomed him into one. We have won many a trophy without a Ballon D'or and we will continue to do so. And Griezmann isnt close to winning the World Player of the Year as well.
If we buy Pogba then I trust our manager to have a very clear vision of firstly, why Pogba is the player he wants, and secondly, exactly how Pogba will fit into whatever system Jose wants us to use.
The transfer fee is not really relevant to either of those points as long as the club have that kind of money to spend; which they do.
We can all say "for that money you could get Kante AND Matuidi AND A N Other" but if that's what Jose wanted then that's what we'd be doing.
The transfer fee is not really relevant to either of those points as long as the club have that kind of money to spend; which they do.
We can all say "for that money you could get Kante AND Matuidi AND A N Other" but if that's what Jose wanted then that's what we'd be doing.
No we we were comparing our situation with Giggs and Scholes to now, you are taking the discussion down a different route now. The initial discussion was about the importance of having a top class midfielder rather than a top class attacker.
I reckon we should buy Ravel back too.
But seriously, if Jose wants him, I'm all for it, regardless of the price.
But seriously, if Jose wants him, I'm all for it, regardless of the price.
Are you seriously saying we don't need an outstanding attacker to win the CL?
Is that what you got from what I said?
...and still this transfer ticks the "youth" box which is why it's so right for us.
To all the posters who are just repeating Griezmann as if he was actually available: Don't you think that there is a bigger chance of attracting such players if we already have player's of Pogba's calibre in the team. Why the hell would Griezmann want to play with the sub-par average midfield we have or will have if we don't invest heavily?
It's a good point. £160m on Pogba, Mkhi, Zlatan and Bailey is only the same as City spent on KDB, Sterling, Delph and Otamendi. Our net spend would only be around £100-120m also if we left it at those four incoming and sold Mata and a few others.