Paul Pogba | Undergoing Medical | Helping out the Laundry Ladies

[Revan]

Madrid aren't the only team who can win the Champions League. And it's chicken and egg - players reputations are made by winning trophies... before they win them they aren't seen as players of that calibre. Unless you're going to totally buy in a team of XI Galacticos, then you need players to rise to themselves to that level and make themselves legends. So that's what I look for more - whether a player might have that in them, and Smalling I believe is capable.

Mate, every top team has better players than those I mentioned in their positions. Look at Barca, Real, Bayern or even Atletico, they are miles better.

I think that with this signing we are very good and could win the league, but talks about winning UCL are very premature. Our defense at the moment is absolutely atrocious to even suggest that. If Smalling improves, Bailey does well, Shaw continues when he left before the injury and we get a right back/Darmian improves, that is something else, but so far we are far from a title winning UCL.

 

[Kaos]

Again Juve are Adidas too

We're definitely Adidas' flagship team at this point though.

 

[Raees]

It's come from Mourinho's own mouth that the Rooney midfield experiment is over, so I don't expect him to every play him there, even against weaker opposition. Its not like we're going to be short of midfield alternatives anyway.

He said Rooney would play as a 10. 10 is basically an attacking midfielder, so yes it is semantics and he isn't a 'midfielder' but when you are posting Carrick and Pogba with Rooney in front, that can be interpreted as 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1.

Either way those three would be responsible for running the central attacking areas of the game.

 

[mu4c_20le]

I assume he was meaning Renato Sanches

Renato Sanches not Alexis Sanchez.

I'd thought about that, always does my head in when people spell it with a Z. Anyways, we will porbably never know the exact details, but i've always believed that he chose Bayern. They are just as big as us if not bigger, always go far in the CL, and we still had LVG at the time IIRC, jose's project was not yet known. If Bayern were interested in Pogba and could afford him i would've been worried too.

 

[devilish]

At football matches? Im talking about football fans. Im not Rooney btw chill.

it can be quite frustrating to save thousands upon thousands of immigrants whom Europe (including the UK) expect silver treatment for but no one seem to want to share. I bet warmongers prefer the leave a mess in Iraq, Afghanistan and most of Africa really and then leave the consequences for other to handle.

 

[Riz]

Worse than Cleverley - Anderson?

Funnily enough that was a very good midfield pairing, albeit for 6 games or so.

 

[Kaos]

He said Rooney would play as a 10. 10 is basically an attacking midfielder, so yes it is semantics and he isn't a 'midfielder' but when you are posting Carrick and Pogba with Rooney in front, that can be interpreted as 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1.

Either way those three would be responsible for running the central attacking areas of the game.

From that lineup you posted I assumed you were shaping a midfield 3, in a 4231 it would be a completely different setup.

 

[Mal donaghy]

He's not signed yet !! Sorry to be a Debbie downer, but we will look right pricks if it falls through!!
#countchickens

 

[Xeno]

Funnily enough that was a very good midfield pairing, albeit for 6 games or so.

 

[Fortitude]

So, in terms of trophies, what would Pogba have to help us win for his detractors to say he was worth the transfer fee paid?

 

[ChaddyP]

Funnily enough that was a very good midfield pairing, albeit for 6 games or so.

They were amazing for them 6 games. It was possibly our greatest midfield performance for the longest time and then it all went tits up

 

[Raees]

wut?

Playing in midfield isn't just about technical quality and finding a pass. Pogba in terms of ability could be the greatest CM who ever lived. If anything the lad is very similar to Didi in the way he passes, dribbles etc.

What makes one a CM and the other not, is te absence of work rate in the middle, the ability to carry the actions of a centre mid, time and time again for a 90 minute game. Pogba still hasn't learnt this yet and as we saw for France, he was completely invisible when deployed in a deeper role.

Not saying it is impossible for him to be a CM, just saying he is very underdeveloped in this role. Mourinho is bringing him in to be his Lampard, not his Modric.. he isn't that player yet.

 

[ChaddyP]

I miss Nani so much damn you lvg ... damn you

 

[MDFC Manager]

At football matches? Im talking about football fans. Im not Rooney btw chill.

But you're Giggs, clearly.

 

[RedCurry]

So, in terms of trophies, what would Pogba have to help us win for his detractors to say he was worth the transfer fee paid?

A league title in first two years.

 

[Sir A1ex]

so far we are far from a title winning UCL.

Tbf, we've got a year before we even get to try, so hopefully the players you mentioned can spend that time showing that level!

 

[macheda14]

As I said, I have never seen such a case in real life. You hear people who probably haven't ever been in Italy talking about the racism in Italy, but I have yet to see it.

I was more alluding t the fact that there is a difference between racism and racial abuse. Racism is a structural issue that oppresses people of colour through lack of opportunity or equal representation, a system that is commonplace in all majority white countries. Whilst racial abuse is a small example of said disparity experienced by people of colour. To generalise and say there is more racism in Italy than England is unfair, but there are far more reported cases of racial abuse in football matches in Italy than England that inform such a generalisation. However this may be due to a lack of reporting in England.
However, I'm quite amazed that you haven't seen one instance in your three years, but that could be due to there being a smaller proportional population of people of colour in Italy than in England. The few times I've been to Italy I've noticed a general lack of people of colour compared to say London, thereby a lesser chance of seeing instances of racial abuse. This may be why they seem to be confined to football crowds, some sections of which (certain ultra groups) have links to facism. Again it is perhaps the Italian ultra groups that inform the stereotype of Italian racism.

 

[Raees]

From that lineup you posted I assumed you were shaping a midfield 3, in a 4231 it would be a completely different setup.

It wouldn't though.

Mkhi Carrick Pogba Martial
Rooney
Zlatan

Carrick Pogba
Mkhi Rooney Martial
Zlatan

Carrick Pogba
Rooney
Mkhi Zlatan Martial
​

The bottom line is that Carrick and Pogba would be a disaster as a pairing no matter what the formation. Then you have the added fact that having Rooney in front of them, will blunt our attacking threat and he gives the ball away alot which would place our weak midfield under even greater threat. It is a recipe for disaster.

Anderson and Cleverly might have been shit, but when on form.. they were young, had some energy about them and it was balanced. Their problem was that Anderson can't handle more than 5 games and that they were both at the end of the day, rather shit.

 

[Raees]

Schneiderlin
Pogba - Herrera

Carrick
Bastian - Pereira

Blind
Rooney - TFM

+ Fellaini & Mata.

Not the worst we've had at all.
​

The poster I quoted was on about the starting XI only and that particular trio. FWIW, the Schneiderlin, Herrera, Pogba trio.. I think that is a very balanced midfield. Is it a top top quality midfield? Not sure, but it is a damn good one and a step in the right direction to injecting some energy back into our games.

 

[cyberman]

People are forgetting Bailly in all of this when criticising our midfield.
Imo he was bought to allow us to push right up to the midfield with a high line and negate a lot of the concerns that are expressed on here.
Our defensive mid will never be isolated nor will it lack workrate as a unit

 

[Ole90+3]

Holding MF​

Schneiderlin Pogba​

I think that is our best bet. Schneiderlin and Pogba being given a box to box role, with the former handed more defensive minded instructions and the latter more attacking.

Not totally convinced by an ageing Carrick starting at DM but might work with 2 physical, athletic players in front of him.

Would like to see TFM and Blind being given chances at holding position. Can also switch Herrera with Schneiderlin, and Mata with Pogba.

 

[itso 7]

I think Mourinho will go with a 4-3-3 with Pogba being given a free role within that middle 3 and a Schneidelerlin type doing most of the cleaning up.

I think this makes the most sense because we need Carrick's passing and play-making abilities but he's legs have gone so he can't be relied on to hold the midfield without help plus we need Pogba's skills further forward. So Schneiderlin comes in to give what Carrick can't give us anymore and what we don't want to burden Pogba with yet.

 

[RedPnutz]

Backing off the "big stain" and "huge shadow" comments now are you?

It's at most a minor negative, though who knows had we kept him, it might be us he is looking to leave right now.

Some would argue the bigger negative is appointing Moyes.

 

[Mal donaghy]

Holding MF​

Schneiderlin Pogba​

I think that is our best bet. Schneiderlin and Pogba being given a box to box role, with the former handed more defensive minded instructions and the latter more attacking.

Not totally convinced by an ageing Carrick starting at DM but might work with 2 physical, athletic players in front of him.

Would like to see TFM and Blind being given chances at holding position. Can also switch Herrera with Schneiderlin, and Mata with Pogba.

yeah excpect good things from Morgan this season

 

[RedPnutz]

SAF did drop the ball with Pogba, BUT without SAF we wouldn't even be in the position to spend 100mil on him or any player. The club wouldn't be what it is today without SAF.

No doubt about that.

 

[peridigm]

Fellaini and Schneiderlin are probably better centre-mids than Pogba. The lad really isn't a centre-mid, he is more gifted than them but as of right now.. he is no centre midfielder. He doesn't have the work rate to play there.

Play him where Rooney is and you'll get more out of him. He still needs to learn how to play CM.

and where exactly does Rooney play?

 

[swooshboy]

I miss Nani so much damn you lvg ... damn you

Love Nani

 

[gaucho_10]

someones butthurt

I know it's been tough for you guys these last few years, so it's kind of pathetic and understandable at the same time for you to jump on this so quickly. If you ask me, a thank you letter to Florentino Perez would be much more appropriate from your side.

I think you need a reality check. United is a team with so much to prove, to it's fans, investors, sponsors. Real Madrid and Manchester United live in two completely different galaxies at this point in time. Different set of targets, different set of problems, different set of everything.

You should just enjoy what seems to be a great summer for you guys for a change, but if you want to enjoy it by trolling Real Madrid fans, then you have serious problem with your perspective.


If you didn't understand all of this, I'll try to explain by saying that Pogba is worth 100 maybe even 200 mil € for Man United. You need him, you need him more then he needs you, but for Real Madrid, he's not a 100 mil € player, because we simply don't need him.

 

[MiamiSpartan]

This.

I think Pogba would be hugely marketable here in the States even though soccer/football isn't marketed here.

And yes...there aren't enough superstar black footballers in the world. The fact that three players with so much potential may all play for the Reds (Martial, Rashford and Pogba) is simply amazing.

The publicity of the fee alone would vault his name recognition way up in the states, probably only behind Ronaldo, Messi, and Neymar in terms of international soccer/football stars. There's already the connection with Drake, and I think you'll soon start seeing/hearing about him hanging out with some of the biggest young stars in the NFL and NBA, kind of like Neymar who was seen with a lot of US athletes and celebs when he was here watching the Copa America this summer. Especially any of those young stars that are sponsored by Adidas. Nike and Adidas love to get their stars from the US and overseas at events together, and hopefully have them build friendships. In the world of social media, those friendships become semi-public, and the tweeting and instagraming back and forth would raise Pogba's profile in the states, and would raise the profile of those NFL/NBA players overseas. He's young, he's hip, he's got swag. He could become the first football player to really capture the urban youth market in the US.

 

[Ban]

Lots of talk and long posts before the inevitable signing I see.

 

[ChaddyP]

Love Nani

I'm a fan boy and I dont car who knows it

 

[swooshboy]

I'm a fan boy and I dont car who knows it

Same - I would have started him every game and told him that.

This may be on reason I am not a successful manager.

Or a manager at all.

 

[starman]

Why do people keep repeating these type of arguments?

If you're going to make such arguments then list out players who are reasonably attainable, and play in Pogba's position.

Not just random players who are good and cost less, therefore we could theoretically spend the money elsewhere.

What the hell you talking about, the point is spreading the cost on other players, not another similar player that would cost 100m..

 

[xplatformjedi]

I thought Valencia was better than Darmian when he played personally. He's limited of course but has incredible raw pace and power. Darmian barely gets forward but slightly better in defence.

I think neither should be starters, and each is stronger where the other is weak.

Right backs should defend 1st imo.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

I know it's been tough for you guys these last few years, so it's kind of pathetic and understandable at the same time for you to jump on this so quickly. If you ask me, a thank you letter to Florentino Perez would be much more appropriate from your side.

I think you need a reality check. United is a team with so much to prove, to it's fans, investors, sponsors. Real Madrid and Manchester United live in two completely different galaxies at this point in time. Different set of targets, different set of problems, different set of everything.

You should just enjoy what seems to be a great summer for you guys for a change, but if you want to enjoy it by trolling Real Madrid fans, then you have serious problem with your perspective.


If you didn't understand all of this, I'll try to explain by saying that Pogba is worth 100 maybe even 200 mil € for Man United. You need him, you need him more then he needs you, but for Real Madrid, he's not a 100 mil € player, because we simply don't need him.

Enjoy 60m Andre Gomes

 

[starman]

Alexis? Why would Arsenal sell them to us when we will clearly be a title threat, and why would he leave CL football to come here? Kante is great, but doesn't solve our midfield issue, merely improves upon destroyers like Fellaini. Once Pogba starts banging in those long range volleys like Scholesy, I'd imagine quite a few will start changing their tune here.

No meant sanches..

 

[Seven Seas Sardines]

Wow!! This is really happening!! Italian, English, Spanish papers all reporting it.

I don't agree with the price. But who can say "NO" to this:

--------------------- Big Dave ----------------------
Darmian ------ Bailly ---------- Smalling ---- Shaw
---------------- Schneiderlin -------- Pogba --------------
MKhitaryan ----------- Rooney ---------------- Martial
------------------------ Zlatan -------------------------

Bench:
Romero
CBJ
Fosu-Mensah
Carrick
Herrera
Rashford

That is a champions league winning team, and we are not even in the champions league.

PS

Please DO NOT say Carrick shouldn't be in there. Carrick is one of our midfield general. Look at the amount of games we lost over the years without Carrick in midfield. I'm sure Mourinho would agree.

Fixed that for you. If we'd leave out Rooney for Rashford or an in-form Memphis, we'd probably have a team capable of competing in Europe.

 

[Skywarden]

Eh...going awfully off-topic now. Back to Poggers please.

 

[Raees]

and where exactly does Rooney play?

He'd play behind the great wall.

 

[villain]

What the hell you talking about, the point is spreading the cost on other players, not another similar player that would cost 100m..

I understand your point I'm asking you to list other players who play in his position that we can obtain.
Sanchez and Kante are both gone.