Was he (Pogba) asked about United or did he just mention us again?
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss Amad saving our blushes in a win against Southampton as well as our now annual loss at home to Brighton. They discuss Amorim's post-match comments, revisit how mid-table we may or may not be, and discuss some transfer news.
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Was he (Pogba) asked about United or did he just mention us again?
Not at all,if Pogba ever saw us worth it and really wanted to play for club like United,he would wait for another year,with that attitude he would show that he has more then just skills required to be United player,Fergie would give him chance and there is no doubt that he would play under Moyes too.
Gundogan and Herrera would be ridiculous. A player like Gundogan who has no problems attempting risky, quick one-touch passes round the corner. And then Herrera's movement and fearlessness. They'd be creating the most ridiculous angles for each other constantly.
Throw in Schneiderlin, who can play himself.
Pogba would be great too, but in a different way.
Gundogan & Herrera with Schneiderlin behind them would be competitive with any midfield in Europe IMO.
Id go as far to say as I would prefer Schneiderlin & Gundogan over one Pogba as they would both would bring elements to our midfield that have been missing for a long time....not to mention they would be collectively cheaper that Pogba.
Gundogan can play at CM or CDM (if needed), he is a deep lying playmaker who can tackle and dribble.... Mata cannot play as deep or tackle like Gundogan does.
If we are playing Rooney up front flanked by Depay and Di Maria thats plenty of movement up front for Herrera and Gundogan to work with.
I don't think you are exactly right, but what I do think is that an other young midfielder will emerge, the future will give us an other opportunity to have a great young player, we just have to look at Verratti who isn't hyped like Pogba but is better.
thats not true. We used to hype him(and Ravel) even more when he was playing as a youth. We couldn't wait for him to move to the senior squad. Though was finally going to happen in that 2011 season but it never did. Instead we got makeshifts and Scholes coming out retirement.
Only reason you are saying this is because he left.
Was just about to mention Verratti. I think he's better too, and you can actually say what it is that he brings to a team.
I'd love to know exactly what Pogba does really well at this stage, or what his main asset actually is? Long range shooting? Just being physically imposing (which I actually don't think he is)?
He doesn't show signs/traits of ever being a dictator. He lacks defensive nous (and can be played around, due to poor acceleration), his passing isn't exactly noteworthy and can actually be sloppy, he doesn't drive forward with the ball.
Am I missing his key contribution, or the key trait that will see him become one of the best players in the world?
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Also agree on Verratti, he is better and more consistent. Pogba is already a pretty good player, but people who call him the best midfielder in the world really only watched some great games or a highlight video. Modric is still clear ahead and even for young midfielder he is a good step away from Verratti imo. Performance-wise he is really not worth anywhere the mentioned fee, it's his potential and of course he can be a world beater.
In the last few days I just saw on an football forum some Juve fans (+other Serie A fans) and their "Serie A team of the season." A lot of them mentioned Marchisio, some of them Vidal and of course Pirlo, but I didn't saw a single Pogba vote. When you look at this place sometimes it seems like it's a fact that he is the best midfielder in Italy and Juve by a country mile, but that's really not the case.
Kovacic is a similiar case too (but much worse than Pogba), called the best player at Inter just because of his potential, but performance-wise he struggles to get in their team.
In the last few days I just saw on an football forum some Juve fans (+other Serie A fans) and their "Serie A team of the season." A lot of them mentioned Marchisio, some of them Vidal and of course Pirlo, but I didn't saw a single Pogba vote. When you look at this place sometimes it seems like it's a fact that he is the best midfielder in Italy and Juve by a country mile, but that's really not the case.
Kovacic is a similiar case too (but much worse than Pogba), called the best player at Inter just because of his potential, but performance-wise he struggles to get in their team.
thats not true. We used to hype him(and Ravel) even more when he was playing as a youth. We couldn't wait for him to move to the senior squad. Though was finally going to happen in that 2011 season but it never did. Instead we got makeshifts and Scholes coming out retirement.
Only reason you are saying this is because he left.
Why would you assume that?
I'm very openly a fan of Pogba but I think that Verratti is better, because unlike Pogba, Verratti is a defined player, he knows what he wants to be in the future and shows it on the field. For the moment Pogba is a bag of talent, he still needs to find a role in which he is consistently dominant.
It seems I'm not the only one. I understand the interest in him (he's a huge lad, who occasionally shows incredible touches of technique and scores a screamer) but on the other hand, I'm just not seeing 'it'.
I always think that regardless of age, you'd usually be able to pinpoint a players key attribute, or their potential key contribution to a team. I could do that for Hazard, Sterling, Thiago, Isco, Verratti, Neymar, even a young Wilshere.
I'm still slightly unsure what I'm supposed to be really impressed by when I watch Pogba.
You mention Kovacic. he's not nearly as hyped as Pogba, but I can at least see his ability to carry the ball is his main trait, and is better than most players out there. His passing and vision is above average too. He just needs to put his game together properly and use his brain better.
Maybe I just haven't watched enough of Pogba at Juventus.
If he's not going to come here, I'd much prefer he goes to Barcelona as they're the lesser of evils compared to Madrid, Chelsea and City.
I do question whether he's a good fit for Barcelona. They replaced Xavi with Rakitic and Iniesta is the next one that needs to be replaced, but I don't see Pogba replicating what Iniesta does. If I were Barcelona, I'd think Koke would be the better choice to replace Iniesta.
I do question whether he's a good fit for Barcelona. They replaced Xavi with Rakitic and Iniesta is the next one that needs to be replaced, but I don't see Pogba replicating what Iniesta does. If I were Barcelona, I'd think Koke would be the better choice to replace Iniesta.
Fair enough if anyone rates verrati higher, as he himself is an outstanding talent with the necessary skill set. But it's hard to doubt Pogba. He has immense technique complimented by his physique. He can bully the opposition and take complete control. What he still needs is playing at that optimum level throughout the match. But he is still young and will most likely improve on what's missing.
That level is exactly what he's been doing the whole season.
Modric is almost 30.
Modric is almost 30.
That makes him bad?
The young midfielder part was in comparison with Verratti, not Modric.
thats not true. We used to hype him(and Ravel) even more when he was playing as a youth. We couldn't wait for him to move to the senior squad. Though was finally going to happen in that 2011 season but it never did. Instead we got makeshifts and Scholes coming out retirement.
Only reason you are saying this is because he left.
Verratti is the better player.
Verrati is better right now than Pogba but Modric is better than both imo.
I think we are comparing players who are still developing.
Modric is possibly the best CM in Europe, we should have signed him after Tottenham but SAF didnt want to pay the £40M that Levy wanted, Gundogan (before his back injury) was almost at that level and now Verratti is the best young CM that I have seen this season.
Verratti is better than Pogba at the moment and worth a £40M bid, but PSG doesnt need money unless its to become FFP compliant and I am not sure we are as attractive a destination as Madrid or Barca at the moment.
I dont know if there is space in the Madrid or Barca midfield next season for Verratti, but they most possibly would have a spot for him the season after.
Verratti is better than Pogba at the moment and worth a £40M bid, but PSG doesnt need money unless its to become FFP compliant and I am not sure we are as attractive a destination as Madrid or Barca at the moment.
I dont know if there is space in the Madrid or Barca midfield next season for Verratti, but they most possibly would have a spot for him the season after.
Fair enough buddy but I gave my opinion on that then compared them both with an established player?
Manchester United and Chelsea target Paul Pogba could leave Juventus in the summer transfer window, according to his agent Mino Raiola.
The French international has been one of the sought out midfielders and his form has seen him attract interest from clubs around the continent. Louis van Gaal has identified Pogba as a priority summer signing as Red Devils are keen to re-sign the former midfielder.
In addition to this, Chelsea are also in the race to sign Juventus star as Jose Mourinho is looking to build a squad at Stamford Bridge to win the Europe's elite club competition. Pogba started during the Champions League final defeat to Barcelona in Berlin.
Raiola admitted the clash against the Catalan giants could be Pogba's final game in Juventus shirt.
"Berlin could be Pogba's last game with Juventus. They don't want to sell him. Whoever wants him will have to buy him," Raiola told Sky Sport Italia.
"However, it could happen. The market is open until September 2. He has a contract with Juventus, who have not made any moves to sell him."
"Concrete offers arrived but they were brushed aside. But the price will be decided by who wants him. The price doesn't matter to someone who wants to buy a work of art."
"Juventus will control the auction but it will be one of the most costly transfers in history. He's a special player. He's already given us a glimpse of the path he's on even though we have not even seen the best of Pogba," the midfielder's agent stressed.
Real Madrid were also believed to be interested in signing the former United man and rumours suggested they had already made a bid for him. However, the Spanish club officially deniedmaking any bid and confirmed the reports to be false.
Zinedine Zidane remains hopeful that his compatriot could snub offers from other clubs and make a switch to Real.
"I don't know where he will end up, I have no information. Pogba has the quality to play wherever he wants," Zidane told Radio Monte Carlo.
"Now, if he has to leave Juventus... I adore Real Madrid and the best players play here, so I think it would be good for him to come. This is not a current issue right now but he has incredible potential."
The French international has been one of the sought out midfielders and his form has seen him attract interest from clubs around the continent. Louis van Gaal has identified Pogba as a priority summer signing as Red Devils are keen to re-sign the former midfielder.
In addition to this, Chelsea are also in the race to sign Juventus star as Jose Mourinho is looking to build a squad at Stamford Bridge to win the Europe's elite club competition. Pogba started during the Champions League final defeat to Barcelona in Berlin.
Raiola admitted the clash against the Catalan giants could be Pogba's final game in Juventus shirt.
"Berlin could be Pogba's last game with Juventus. They don't want to sell him. Whoever wants him will have to buy him," Raiola told Sky Sport Italia.
"However, it could happen. The market is open until September 2. He has a contract with Juventus, who have not made any moves to sell him."
"Concrete offers arrived but they were brushed aside. But the price will be decided by who wants him. The price doesn't matter to someone who wants to buy a work of art."
"Juventus will control the auction but it will be one of the most costly transfers in history. He's a special player. He's already given us a glimpse of the path he's on even though we have not even seen the best of Pogba," the midfielder's agent stressed.
Real Madrid were also believed to be interested in signing the former United man and rumours suggested they had already made a bid for him. However, the Spanish club officially deniedmaking any bid and confirmed the reports to be false.
Zinedine Zidane remains hopeful that his compatriot could snub offers from other clubs and make a switch to Real.
"I don't know where he will end up, I have no information. Pogba has the quality to play wherever he wants," Zidane told Radio Monte Carlo.
"Now, if he has to leave Juventus... I adore Real Madrid and the best players play here, so I think it would be good for him to come. This is not a current issue right now but he has incredible potential."
I said that Modric would have been perfect for us that summer when we were being heavily linked with him. But most on here were more keen on Sneijder or Nasri iirc.
Enjoyed how two-footed he is last night, but he's still quite young and it was just a bridge too far for him last night. What a player he's going to be, and not too far into the future either.
Am I the only one who finds his positioning, tactical awareness and decision making really crap?
Yes. Don't compare him to established players who have tons of experience playing at the highest level. He will get there.
I actually thought he was much better with that kind of stuff last night than other times Ive seen him recently. I do think he gets a bit overrated sometimes because he scores beastly goals, but last night I though his concentration, positioning, tackling and passing out of defence was far better than on other occasions. Certainly vastly better than in the SF second leg.
First proper match I've seen him in since he's left - but I just can't see him fitting well into Bareclona's side. Positionally and technically, I just can't see him fitting in - although they may be looking for something different from Xavi and Iniesta.
One thing that was absolutely obvious was that he looked like a Premier League player. Great physical player with some talent took with it. Would certainly want him back, but not at the prices mentioned.
One thing that was absolutely obvious was that he looked like a Premier League player. Great physical player with some talent took with it. Would certainly want him back, but not at the prices mentioned.
I haven't watched him that much, just a couple of matches and minutes here and there. He's a great prospect, but I think he's a little over hyped. He tries too many difficult moves at times that often fails, and he also often runs into dead ends. At times he looks properly fast with surging runs, but then at other times he looks like a limp horse. He will probably turn out a great player, but I think people are going a little overboard with "Ferguson's biggest mistake" etc etc. Time will tell. A lot of young promising prospects fail to take it to the next level, although I do believe he will make it.
Raiola coming across as a right bellend yet again. He puts more emphasis on the transfer itself and the spotlight of a potential huge fee, than the importance of moving to a bigger a club. I think we can rest assured that this man played a huge part in Pogba's decision to leave us.
I won't say they are crap but are very raw, as you'd except it for a 20 year old midfielder. His position at Juve is advanced midfield with Vidal or Marchisio fulfilling the box to box role. No wonder Fergie was not ready to throw him in the deep end, especially in a midfield two. But the sound bite of "Fergie made a mistake" is so much better.
He is a very good prospect, who has the tools to become a world class player. Though the Pogba hype machine since he left us has been out of whack; the figures of 60m-80m pounds to acquire his services are mind boggling.
Yeah, he'll become that player over the next few years, but isn't one right now.
Pogba is 22. At the same age everyone could see Alonso, Pirlo, Seedorf and even Fabregas just to name a few had much more intelligence to their game. Pogba for me is too much of an individualist and he does the stuff that grabs headlines much better than the other things which require intelligence of the game which the others had from a very young age.
I agree that he will improve on that aspect but it's ridiculous to say that he is or will become better than the above players.
I'd love to sign him, but I can see him spending 4/5 years at his next club and then moving on again.
Had he stayed with us, we'd probably be in the middle of a transfer saga with him leaving this summer.
Had he stayed with us, we'd probably be in the middle of a transfer saga with him leaving this summer.
He is massively hyped up. Of course he's a fantastic talent but he's far away from the world class midfielder some want him to be. However, I can see him leaving for 60mn or so as his new club would buy a great talent
Last night I saw a player that looked like he was in his first big game (yes I know Barcelona are extraordinary opposition). A terrific prospect & could be a beast in the Prem but I do not see him at the level of Vierra or Toure (similar stature & types of player) & I have a suspicion he hasn't the footballing brain, to reach the very highest level. £40 mill tops this summer, i.e., he won't be coming to O.T.
I can see him spending a heck of a lot of time on the bench for the next two seasons, if he goes to Spain.
I can see him spending a heck of a lot of time on the bench for the next two seasons, if he goes to Spain.
Very similar to his two performances against Atletico Madrid. Not bad but nothing special.
I'm not a huge fan of Pogba, but the reason his role can't be easily defined in a team is not a bad thing.
He is good at most things, so his all round game puts him in the company of other great midfielders, and he will only get better.
He is good at most things, so his all round game puts him in the company of other great midfielders, and he will only get better.
The funny thing is people mention this as"Fergie's biggest mistake" yet four years on the guy who thought he was ready for the first team with us is still only talked about as potential.
Read here about his great technique etc but looked pretty average last night struggling to even pass it to a team mate in some good attacking situations.
Read here about his great technique etc but looked pretty average last night struggling to even pass it to a team mate in some good attacking situations.
Definitely. Dumb, impressionable kid and a parasitic agent are not a good mix. At this rate he'll have played for half the teams in Europe by the time he retires and never properly made it at any of them. He has too much talent to waste it like that.
He just turned 22. You must not watch him enough if you are doubting his technique.
22 or not that is 4 years playing week in week out for Juventus. For the hype he gets and the reported price tags i'd expect a lot lot more especially if he considered himself ready 4 years ago. Can't complain you are not getting games and feel you should be then 4 years later hide behind the excuse age.
Technique he might be better than average but the gulf even between him and truly top class midfield players like Iniesta looked massive last night. All good ripping it up against the likes of Torino but big players do it in big games. The hype he gets I expected to watch him against Real and Barca and for him to really stand out and show his talent, to be honest was hugely disappointed.
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