Should we consider selling Pogba?

Pogba's lack of work rate will never change, hes never had it since watching him for the u18s.

Pep, Klopp, Poch, whoever are never going to turn him into a pressing machine they require in their systems. He's a luxury player we can't afford.
 
Leftback99 said:
Pogba's lack of work rate will never change, hes never had it since watching him for the u18s.

Pep, Klopp, Poch, whoever are never going to turn him into a pressing machine they require in their systems. He's a luxury player we can't afford.
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A poster said he's very Veron alike which I'd agree. He should go back to Serie A or L1. He should be fine there. The PL is not for him, unfortunately.
 
I personally think we're accommodating him. I think we don't particularly need him and haven't done since Bruno arrived. I feel like the tables have turned now, and it would be beneficial for all concerned if he found a big money move.

We triggered a 1 year extension instead of negotiating large contract, which tells me we want to sell.

He's a top class player on the ball, but off the ball, he looks like he doesn't want to be a pressing, defensive minded, disciplined player. The penalty was the latest example. He knew he HAD to chase him back, so he did. It doesn't come naturally, which is why he ended up the wrong side, and stumbled into a rubbish tackle. A naturally disciplined PL midfielder (someone like a Jordan Henderson) wouldn't dream of tackling in the box on the wrong side.

I just think he's not cut out to be a PL style midfielder. He needs to play in a different league, where the pressing game isn't as intense.

Shame really, because I was excited when we signed him. If we had a complete team, like Liverpool do, Pogba could play with more freedom, and probably be as influential as KDB. But that will never happen in this current squad.
 
Freak said:
Have you seen the work rate of Silva and De Bruyne? It’s why city can play that way - those 2 work their socks off defensively.

Pogba is so far off from that level of work rate. Bruno has it but not Pogba.
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It's much to do with the coaching implementation. Defensive workrate has nothing to do with it because those players were never considered astute defensively it's the requirement that Pep clearly installed in them which is probably reminiscent to his time with Xavi / Iniesta players who again were not considered defensive maestros but had enough definitive instructions to not leave the defence exposed.

We do not have a lack of midfield balance generally, we have a unbalanced midfield under the management of Solskjaer because he's unable to accommodate them tactically. Pogba has hardly draped himself in plaudits but do notice he was our best player when Ole received the job because he was played in a position where he was well suited via Ole. Solskjaer has now completely derailed Pogbas deployment by putting him in a typical double pivot midfield role.
 
passing-wind said:
It's much to do with the coaching implementation. Defensive workrate has nothing to do with it because those players were never considered astute defensively it's the requirement that Pep clearly installed in them which is probably reminiscent to his time with Xavi / Iniesta players who again were not considered defensive maestros but had enough definitive instructions to not leave the defence exposed.

We do not have a lack of midfield balance generally, we have a unbalanced midfield under the management of Solskjaer because he's unable to accommodate them tactically. Pogba has hardly draped himself in plaudits but do notice he was our best player when Ole received the job because he was played in a position where he was well suited via Ole. Solskjaer has now completely derailed Pogbas deployment by putting him in a typical double pivot midfield role.
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Bold part: yes until other teams found a way to nullify him. They put 2 guys on him whenever he had the ball and he lost it. Because he needed to dwell on the ball too much. That's why after a few match Ole had to try him in the double pivot. Last match he was played again in his 'favorite position' and we all saw how it was.

Imo his brain is a bit slow. He always need some extra touches, only then he starts to think about what next. Of course that won't work in the PL. Either the defenders would have enough time to fall back to their positions. Or someone would rob the ball off him. It's just too fast paced, too physical for him.

His lack of work rate becomes a serious issue for the balance of the midfield as well. His likelyhood of showboating when he shouldn't doesn't help either.

It's not Ole's fault for him being such of a liability. It's Ole fault for playing him in the PL though. The sooner he'd realise that the better for the club and his own career.
 
passing-wind said:
It's much to do with the coaching implementation. Defensive workrate has nothing to do with it because those players were never considered astute defensively it's the requirement that Pep clearly installed in them which is probably reminiscent to his time with Xavi / Iniesta players who again were not considered defensive maestros but had enough definitive instructions to not leave the defence exposed.

We do not have a lack of midfield balance generally, we have a unbalanced midfield under the management of Solskjaer because he's unable to accommodate them tactically. Pogba has hardly draped himself in plaudits but do notice he was our best player when Ole received the job because he was played in a position where he was well suited via Ole. Solskjaer has now completely derailed Pogbas deployment by putting him in a typical double pivot midfield role.
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Pogba would never work out playing in KDB & Silva role under Pep anyway. Bruno can still play in KDB & Silva role because he has the same disciplinary as those two to play in the role not just the playmaking ability. KDB can play in the role where Ole put Bruno at.

Nothing will work with Pogba. His issue is his inconsistency and it’s down to the Pogba himself not the manager. I don’t believe any manager will be able to make Pogba to perform top class in consistent basis full season now.

When he was in the World Cup, he wasn’t anywhere to be called great. 1 goal and 0 assist is shit end product. He wasn’t the dictator in midfield like Xavi 2010 and defensively suspect.

His only great form was coming from Juventus but at that time he was just a young midfielder with less responsibility, when he played inconsistent, it was fine and easily ignored because there are 3 experienced centre back, Pirlo & Vidal. He never step up to be a leader as he’s grown up as a senior footballer.
 
Jonno said:
I personally think we're accommodating him. I think we don't particularly need him and haven't done since Bruno arrived. I feel like the tables have turned now, and it would be beneficial for all concerned if he found a big money move.

We triggered a 1 year extension instead of negotiating large contract, which tells me we want to sell.

He's a top class player on the ball, but off the ball, he looks like he doesn't want to be a pressing, defensive minded, disciplined player. The penalty was the latest example. He knew he HAD to chase him back, so he did. It doesn't come naturally, which is why he ended up the wrong side, and stumbled into a rubbish tackle. A naturally disciplined PL midfielder (someone like a Jordan Henderson) wouldn't dream of tackling in the box on the wrong side.

I just think he's not cut out to be a PL style midfielder. He needs to play in a different league, where the pressing game isn't as intense.

Shame really, because I was excited when we signed him. If we had a complete team, like Liverpool do, Pogba could play with more freedom, and probably be as influential as KDB. But that will never happen in this current squad.
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I agree. He could have been so much more for us, but he hasn't been. Time to make some money. We've a midfield 3 of Matic, VdB and Bruno. We would have Fred and McT as backups. To me that first choice midfield lacks a little. Matic isn't that mobile and our subs are useful water carriers but not with any real attacking guile. On paper Pogba provides us a creative 8/10, and when he feels like it he is. If we sell him we need to replace him outright AND get a Matic replacement - a proper one, not Scott or Fred. Ultimately we need to continue this upgrade process. We can't have limited players in our squad if we want to compete with the best.
 
I would punt him today if we could. Will have to wait until January unfortunately. He is a complete waste of a Jersey
 
I'm completely done with Pogba starting another game with us and have been saying it for nearly 2 years, when he plays its like we are playing with 10 players as he is useless in DM, however I would like to point out that all the managers we have should of identified this and not tried to accommodate for the sake of his price tag putting him in the wrong position. he is an attacking midfielder and playing from the left he can influence the game a lot more, but again this depends on the formation with deploy, Mourinho gave up and benched him (he knew). I think the board must be driving Ole to play him so they can recoup there money when they sell and not look like idiots for spending so much in first place.
 
When Pogba starts we are at a disadvantage. Play him against the poor teams alright, but not the big ones.
 
If he starts tonight - I have my serious doubts about Ole as our manager. Pogba has been a disaster this season, covid, piss poor performances, last year injured, real madrid talk. I think get him out in Jan - loan deal with option to buy, set a price before he goes. If he goes to Real Madrid you just know he'll be great for them but theres feck all we can do about that other than get some money for him. Loan with option to buy £75mil??
We have to stop making excuses for this guy - hes been here for nearly 4 years how many MOTMs from him? Waste of talent, should never have brought him back. Utd are in a total freefall - not sure Ole has it strategically to stop the rot.
 
OGS could have sold Pogba for a good price in summer 2019. It could have had quite an impact, like Fergie selling Paul Ince. It could have been good for Ole's stature as a leader; drawing a line in the sand regarding attitude and work rate.
 
Reducation said:
OGS could have sold Pogba for a good price in summer 2019. It could have had quite an impact, like Fergie selling Paul Ince. It could have been good for Ole's stature as a leader; drawing a line in the sand regarding attitude and work rate.
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Agree and I think his backing of Pogba might hasten his own exit to be honest.

I thought he had wised up when he dropped him to the bench but starting him against Arsenal was a big, big error.
 
sugar_kane said:
Agree and I think his backing of Pogba might hasten his own exit to be honest.

I thought he had wised up when he dropped him to the bench but starting him against Arsenal was a big, big error.
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Quite so. For United, replacing Bryan Robson and later Roy Keane were notable challenges. Pogba simply isn't in that category.
 
Yes.
I worry that Ole is desperately trying to fit Pogba into his team, which he struggling to do, and that ultimately could be his downfall.
Still waiting to see this 'world class' player perform, too many poor performances.
I think letting Pogba go will clear the way for much better cohesion within midfield.
 
He should not start as first choice for us.

He can wait till January or end of the season and go find his new challenge. We need a midfielder who will fight for the team.
 
sugar_kane said:
Agree and I think his backing of Pogba might hasten his own exit to be honest.

I thought he had wised up when he dropped him to the bench but starting him against Arsenal was a big, big error.
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100% agree. I said months ago that unless Pogba goes it will probably be Ole going.

At the bare minimum he should drop him.
 
Is Ole playing Pogba for a reason other than his footballing ability? Is Raiola behind the scenes telling Pogba to have stinkers to lower his price and speed up his exit?? Is Pogba himself just completly finished with Man Utd the owners, the ever changing management/direction. Whichever it is - it just points to Pogba going. Is that why VDB came in the summer - we dont need him now but when pog fecks off in january, he can start every game for us.
 
Red4Life_#7 said:
I haven't read much of the above, just entering the convo...

Man City played Silva, de Bruyne etc.

We need to play someone like Mc T to just sit and sweep... then give Pogba and Bruno licence to make teams worry about us attacking them. But tbh our defence isn't pacey or good enough to stop counter attacks.
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The reason why we play McTominay and Fred together is to patch up our frail CBs. Only one of them isnt enough to make up for that weakness. If you add Pogba’s inaptitude to defend, then you can expect losing on a regular basis.
 
reddevilz007 said:
The reason why we play McTominay and Fred together is to patch up our frail CBs. Only one of them isnt enough to make up for that weakness. If you add Pogba’s inaptitude to defend, then you can expect losing on a regular basis.
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I do not think playing 2 DM's is to protect the CB tbh. Its more because we have 2/3 players who do not do enough without the ball.

Rashford, Pogba and Greenwood are all culprits at this. When Martial plays, we press the ball 10 times better. You cannot carry 3 players in defence.
 
Jonno said:
I personally think we're accommodating him. I think we don't particularly need him and haven't done since Bruno arrived. I feel like the tables have turned now, and it would be beneficial for all concerned if he found a big money move.

We triggered a 1 year extension instead of negotiating large contract, which tells me we want to sell.

He's a top class player on the ball, but off the ball, he looks like he doesn't want to be a pressing, defensive minded, disciplined player. The penalty was the latest example. He knew he HAD to chase him back, so he did. It doesn't come naturally, which is why he ended up the wrong side, and stumbled into a rubbish tackle. A naturally disciplined PL midfielder (someone like a Jordan Henderson) wouldn't dream of tackling in the box on the wrong side.

I just think he's not cut out to be a PL style midfielder. He needs to play in a different league, where the pressing game isn't as intense.

Shame really, because I was excited when we signed him. If we had a complete team, like Liverpool do, Pogba could play with more freedom, and probably be as influential as KDB. But that will never happen in this current squad.
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Spot on,

Were a better team without him and it's a nice luxury to be able to bring him on in the 60th minute against tired legs but you can't have that type of player sitting on the bench all the time, his stock is still fairly high and we should be trying our best to cash in on him in the next window/summer.
 
Jaxa said:
Spot on,

Were a better team without him and it's a nice luxury to be able to bring him on in the 60th minute against tired legs but you can't have that type of player sitting on the bench all the time, his stock is still fairly high and we should be trying our best to cash in on him in the next window/summer.
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I think he may have played his way out of a move at this point too. I mean, who would pay big money for him given that he was injured for almost the whole season last year and has been utter shite this year? Love Pogba as a player, but he's a shadow of what he could be if he applied himself. If we could find a buyer willing to pay 50-60m at the end of the season then he should go.
 
jamesjimmybyrondean said:
Would PSG even buy him? They've been making some weird cheap signings as if they are no longer the money club we know them for
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PSG are PSG, they will be mighty tempted to sign a French world cup winner. There's always hope.....or I hope there is...
 
Reducation said:
OGS could have sold Pogba for a good price in summer 2019. It could have had quite an impact, like Fergie selling Paul Ince. It could have been good for Ole's stature as a leader; drawing a line in the sand regarding attitude and work rate.
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That tipped me over the edge from the beginning. No matter if you liked or disliked Jose, Pogba's involvement in the downfall and sly tweets should have seen him booted out too. Ole just wants to be everybody's friend and doesn't command any respect. I couldn't believe it when he came in and swept it all under the carpet.

I still maintain that there was a lot of truth in what Jose was saying at the time. The fans should have listened, even if Woodward didn't.
 
Pogba is not a team player. He plays for himself. The sooner we get rid of him the better we would play as a team.
 
Glad people are waking up and realizing how poor a player Pogba has been for United. Where the cnuts who were foaming at the mouth when I suggested Pogba must have realized he is not as good as he thinks he is.

Now watch Woody give him a nice fat contract.
 
Hes the icing on a cake like France. but we know the real character comes from the base of it. he has none, a pure clown on and off the pitch and id swap him for one decent full back.
hes a luxury signing when you have the right other 20 odd personal. sadly we dont even have 5
 
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A luxury player, who needs a midfield built around him (players to cover his deficiencies). Sell him to Madrid and let them deal with his lack of effort, concentration and drive. We are better off without him.
 
ghagua said:
PSG are PSG, they will be mighty tempted to sign a French world cup winner. There's always hope.....or I hope there is...
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I hope too but it's been quite a while since their superstar signings. The signings they've made in recent windows makes it look like they are no longer the mega rich club we know them for
 
Selling him to who - who is stupid enough at this point to pay big money for him?
 
Danny_ said:
Selling him to who - who is stupid enough at this point to pay big money for him?
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Late 20s and still doesn’t move where he should, and play his role responsibly. Has all the physical and technical tools, but will never be a great.
 
mu4c_20le said:
Muller is the Wayne Rooney of Bayern, he will never be displaced until he physically cannot move anymore.
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Regardless Mueller starts on merit, he just broke the Bundesliga record for assists. Pogba is giving away a penalty for every assist he gives.
 
Jonno said:
I personally think we're accommodating him. I think we don't particularly need him and haven't done since Bruno arrived. I feel like the tables have turned now, and it would be beneficial for all concerned if he found a big money move.

We triggered a 1 year extension instead of negotiating large contract, which tells me we want to sell.

He's a top class player on the ball, but off the ball, he looks like he doesn't want to be a pressing, defensive minded, disciplined player. The penalty was the latest example. He knew he HAD to chase him back, so he did. It doesn't come naturally, which is why he ended up the wrong side, and stumbled into a rubbish tackle. A naturally disciplined PL midfielder (someone like a Jordan Henderson) wouldn't dream of tackling in the box on the wrong side.

I just think he's not cut out to be a PL style midfielder. He needs to play in a different league, where the pressing game isn't as intense.

Shame really, because I was excited when we signed him. If we had a complete team, like Liverpool do, Pogba could play with more freedom, and probably be as influential as KDB. But that will never happen in this current squad.
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If we had a complete team like Liverpool Pogba wouldn't be starting either. The basis of Klopp style is everyone works hard on and off the ball.
 
I have never believed in holding on to a player who clearly wants to be elsewhere.
His disaffection must show itself in the locker room, the gym, on the training pitch, outside club time (is there such a thing?) when playing Xbox games with team mates and potential team mates. It creates an increasing risk of rubbing off on others (which could easily include Martial, Rashford and Lingard) and it becomes hugely time-consuming for coaches and management.
This a point in time when we need everyone from the cook and physio, through the coaching team, the squad, senior management and PR team to be focused on making our players as good as they possibly can be and being totally motivated to perform every week at their best for the team, club and fans. Whether Pogba wants to go to Real, Barca, Juve, Plymouth Argyle or Aberystwyth should be a total irrelevance and not up for discussion, but it keeps resurfacing.
By now, when he's in the second half (i.e. the beginning of the downhill bit) of his career, fans, coaches and pundits are debating where and how to play him. Really? Did we need to ponder where Keano should play? Or Scholes? No. World class players make a role their own. They want to be first name on the team sheet, they do what it takes to earn that privilege and they fight to retain it. Pogba does none of these things. He isn't able to stamp his presence or authority (or legacy) on a specific position week in and week out, which is what class players do.
We may be giving him game time in the hope that the football equivalent of the tooth fairy will visit one night and turn him into the player we thought we were buying. Alternatively, we might see his time on the pitch as a shop window to attract decent bids. Good luck there, currently.
My recommendation would be to make it known widely that we don't want him any longer and we are willing to do a swap, citing the positions where we would consider taking players in return for offloading him. I'd rather have two or three decent new faces in defence or upfront if it means getting a bad apple out of the barrel.
Then, everyone can get back to the day job, which is still winning stuff, by the way.
 
It'd be interesting to see our results with and without Pogba in the team, we had a long winning streak when he was injured in the 2nd half of last season.
 
I think he’ll go by the end of next season and I think we’ll be better for it. As someone mentioned before, it’s like Veron all over again only more disappointing and it’s a cautionary tale that the obvious standout first choice player who excites you, doesn’t always deliver and maybe it was the cheaper, less glamorous alternative who would have been better.
 
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