You happy with his performance today?
6
Season Average Rating
- Appearances
- 51
- Goals
- 9
- Assists
- 6
- Yellow cards
- 10
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik @Rood and Imran @Annihilate Now! start with the good news by celebrating Manchester United Women's emphatic FA Cup win over Spurs at Wembley and the future of manager Marc Skinner.
Then it's the bad news and the ever worsening form of our Men with losses to Arsenal and Palace.
Finally the main debate - ETH Out now or keep him until the end of the season - if not longer. Are you Team Nik or Team Imran?
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He's looked woefully off the pace the past month or so. Needs a break. Just play him in the europa league and I'm sure he'll look better for it
Below is an earlier post of mine.
Pogba has been terrible because he is operating in different circumstances. He is being asked to operate in a position where he has to be defensively astute. He won't improve in this system he has not got a defence bone in his body. He is a luxury player in this role. We need to build a system around him in which he has freedom.
People can compare him to Kante but he was never Kante at Juventus. To get the best out of someone like Pogba you could argue you need someone like Kante. Pogba should be dropped for a few games I think we're better without Pogba. We should bring Carrick back in.
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Pogba been underwhelming. For many reasons but he isn't a bad player. There are factors people need to consider.
1. Pogba took a step backwards by choosing to leave Juventus to back to United. (Deluded people will disagree but it's a fact Juve were in a better position with Pogba and are probably still better than us at moment.)
2. He left a team with arguably one of the best defences in Europe to play with Jones & Smalling.
3. He was used at Juve in a 4-3-3 system where he didn't have as much responsibility to track back and defend. It allowed him more freedom.
Pogba at Utd is being suffocated because he is being asked to operate in a two man midfield. He can't do it. He doesn't have the discipline. For me he is wasted playing as deep as he is because he tries to force the issue and he can't affect the game in or around the penalty area.
Which brings me back to a question I asked during the summer why did we sign him if we didn't intend to use him properly?
He hasn't been awful he has played well at times missed a lot of goals hitting the post/crossbar. He is playing in a role where you're expected to control the game. He is not naturally suited to his role nor do I think he can learn it.
When he plays in a two man midfield he takes too many touches, hangs on to the ball for far too long killing forward runs and counters. We need someone who can get the ball pass and move. He doesn't have the ability to drive us forward he is in fact killing us going forward by trying too hard and not simplifying his game. He needs to pick up the ball and release it early get it out of his feet. With Ibrahimovic he feels the need to get the ball and always look for that ball over the top. It's almost as if he thinks that's the only route.
There is a serious lack of footballing intelligence when you look at how we play at home. There is always one touch too many, a bad shot straight at the keeper (making them look like world beaters).
We can question his mentality but the fact is this isn't the Pogba we saw at Juventus. We obviously need to strengthen are attack, midfield and defence but I don't see him improving in the current system.
If we want him to thrive we need play to his strengths but it seems we are only intent on setting up to play with Ibrahimovic at the moment. As good as he has been it's enough to get us into the top 4. We need to consider plan B.
Ibrahimovic playing every second of every game has lead to an over reliance. We should've given Rashford more chances up front. Now Ibrahimovic has a 3 match ban it's going to be difficult for Rashford because he isn't the same player as last season.
Pogba has been terrible because he is operating in different circumstances. He is being asked to operate in a position where he has to be defensively astute. He won't improve in this system he has not got a defence bone in his body. He is a luxury player in this role. We need to build a system around him in which he has freedom.
People can compare him to Kante but he was never Kante at Juventus. To get the best out of someone like Pogba you could argue you need someone like Kante. Pogba should be dropped for a few games I think we're better without Pogba. We should bring Carrick back in.
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Pogba been underwhelming. For many reasons but he isn't a bad player. There are factors people need to consider.
1. Pogba took a step backwards by choosing to leave Juventus to back to United. (Deluded people will disagree but it's a fact Juve were in a better position with Pogba and are probably still better than us at moment.)
2. He left a team with arguably one of the best defences in Europe to play with Jones & Smalling.
3. He was used at Juve in a 4-3-3 system where he didn't have as much responsibility to track back and defend. It allowed him more freedom.
Pogba at Utd is being suffocated because he is being asked to operate in a two man midfield. He can't do it. He doesn't have the discipline. For me he is wasted playing as deep as he is because he tries to force the issue and he can't affect the game in or around the penalty area.
Which brings me back to a question I asked during the summer why did we sign him if we didn't intend to use him properly?
He hasn't been awful he has played well at times missed a lot of goals hitting the post/crossbar. He is playing in a role where you're expected to control the game. He is not naturally suited to his role nor do I think he can learn it.
When he plays in a two man midfield he takes too many touches, hangs on to the ball for far too long killing forward runs and counters. We need someone who can get the ball pass and move. He doesn't have the ability to drive us forward he is in fact killing us going forward by trying too hard and not simplifying his game. He needs to pick up the ball and release it early get it out of his feet. With Ibrahimovic he feels the need to get the ball and always look for that ball over the top. It's almost as if he thinks that's the only route.
There is a serious lack of footballing intelligence when you look at how we play at home. There is always one touch too many, a bad shot straight at the keeper (making them look like world beaters).
We can question his mentality but the fact is this isn't the Pogba we saw at Juventus. We obviously need to strengthen are attack, midfield and defence but I don't see him improving in the current system.
If we want him to thrive we need play to his strengths but it seems we are only intent on setting up to play with Ibrahimovic at the moment. As good as he has been it's enough to get us into the top 4. We need to consider plan B.
Ibrahimovic playing every second of every game has lead to an over reliance. We should've given Rashford more chances up front. Now Ibrahimovic has a 3 match ban it's going to be difficult for Rashford because he isn't the same player as last season.
I don't understand Mourinho.
He wouldn't use Schneiderlin
He wouldn't use Scweinstiger
So essentially he expected United to progress the season playing in four different tournaments with Pogba, Herrera, Fellaini, and Carrick. The former is ass and the later is a 35 year old.
Pogba, who has never had to play in as many games without backup, looked incredibly tired today.
I wonder why.
He wouldn't use Schneiderlin
He wouldn't use Scweinstiger
So essentially he expected United to progress the season playing in four different tournaments with Pogba, Herrera, Fellaini, and Carrick. The former is ass and the later is a 35 year old.
Pogba, who has never had to play in as many games without backup, looked incredibly tired today.
I wonder why.
Having to do two jobs tonight away at the team coasting towards the league title. Looked half hearted at times which is unforgivable of course but some of the overreaction once again towards him is unbearable.
If we also consider bang average/just fine performances (vast majority of his games IMO) I don't think he had more "good" performances than really bad ones this season. Of course, it doesn't mean he's not going to be brilliant for us next year. But I am surprised to see people claiming 16/17 was overall good/very good for him.
We shouldn't over react he's still young. We're probably paying the price though for not dropping/resting him earlier when he under-performed. It's one thing Zlatan staying in with his output but Pogba probably hasn't warranted his untouchable status.
Your total inability to recognise that folks may want to let off a bit of steam about a player is one thing, and so to pull someone up on a comment in the heat of the moment suggests a total lack of empathy. Now you get emotional and criticise the poster and not the post, you have become very wound up with what is not a post about you, but what is just being ambivalent to what you post.
It's football, people respond in different ways fans include. It's funny cause I use to be unbearable when we lost but everything in context, we lost a football game. No biggie and worst things in the world than to have a laugh with a manager.
Not sure what anyone can expect from him today, knowing the type of player he is. 3-4-3, with basically no attacking threat to link with after Miki got subbed and herrera got sent off. He never had any hope of being able to do anything away to chelsea who are the best team in the league. It was just defend and hope we dont concede which we did. Shit happens.
Anyway, he does need to improve his form, but today you cant really blame him at all. Needs to get back to his pre-liverpool game form.
Anyway, he does need to improve his form, but today you cant really blame him at all. Needs to get back to his pre-liverpool game form.
You can have all the talent in the world but if ur attitude and commitment in games ain't top class then it's worth very little. The midfield equivalent of Balotelli?
He played well when it was 11 vs 11 but once Herrera was sent off he was very poor.
More good than bad still. But the good hasn't been that good which is pretty much your point just in a negative sense. Still an important part of the season left and the finish always carry more value. Just like if the season was to end today, Pogba's season will be deemed an average one but a few 'good' performances can make it a decent one.
Not at all. Quite laughable comparison.
Missing the point here. When we go down to 10, he needed to work his bollocks off like Rashford, Rojo and Valencia did.
We had to go long ball/clearance because no one in midfield looked for the ball from the back. It's a game like this where he should have dropped to look for the ball, and slow down the tempo to frustrate Chelsea. We had to go from A to C, with B being the midfield not presenting for the ball.
Unfortunately he just done nothing. Fair enough he can't defend, but really he should have looked to get on the ball and just work it forward. That's what most are unhappy with.
We had to go long ball/clearance because no one in midfield looked for the ball from the back. It's a game like this where he should have dropped to look for the ball, and slow down the tempo to frustrate Chelsea. We had to go from A to C, with B being the midfield not presenting for the ball.
Unfortunately he just done nothing. Fair enough he can't defend, but really he should have looked to get on the ball and just work it forward. That's what most are unhappy with.
He's arguably playing far worse than Mkhitaryan, Martial and Shaw have for any length of time and yet he doesn't get dropped.
He really doesn't look anything like the player in black and white last season.
Needs to be dropped for a prolonged period.
That said he wasn't to blame tonight.
He really doesn't look anything like the player in black and white last season.
Needs to be dropped for a prolonged period.
That said he wasn't to blame tonight.
I don't think it's laughable, there are comparisons you could make.
I remember when the likes of Rozay and RooneyLegend called him one of the best midfielders in the world and I failed to see how he is more than a highlights player. Earlier this season I was almost fooled by him, good general play and maturity, creating chances, working but no, he's an utter and utter fraud this guy. He reminds me of Memphis so bad but in a lesser extent and with 10x the talent.
Absolutely. Thing is, it's not that he hits the crossbar and remains unlucky, which was the case earlier in the season. Bournemouth game he single-handedly bottled, and from a player of his caliber (and pretty much every Manchester United player) I expect sort of a winner's mentality. Today he was wasteful, reckless, completely detached from the game, not putting any effort into it. He looks frustrated and disinterested. This season when it counted most he didn't show anything. Ain't no easy being positive about him turning up to the finish of the season and instantly becoming a big game player, but I keep hoping.
It wasn't just a comment in the heat of the moment. You said it 3 or 4 times. What's funny is you did the same when I said 47 instead of 43.
Sorry, your posts did come across as pathetic and childish.
It's ridiculous the criticism Pogba gets here and it's way over the top.
No there really aren't. Pogba is exhausted and had no preseason. Despite that he is always available and has had to shoulder a word record fee. Balotelli is a waste of time which has been proven at multiple clubs.
I guess if we're reaching then Dele Ali is the new Joey Barton?
What comparison? Did you read anything stupid done by Pogba in training or fighting with managers? For a midfielder he isn't strong defensively and somehow that means he is Balotelli. Laughable.
His game is very instinctive I feel. In attack, he just does whatever feels right. That usually worked because Juve were magnificent. But he just doesn't use his bloody head when he needs to.
Has all the talent in the world, but when the going gets tough and he needs to step it up in a game that matters, he suddenly loses all composure and regresses dramatically as a player.
He needs to learn to do it when he's being closed down and not being given time or room to play, not when we're 2-0 up at home against some minnow. Even I could ping 60 yard passes with the outside of my right foot to Valencia on the wing in those circumstances.*
At the moment I'd say he's several notches below the top midfielders in the world. Which is unacceptable really given we paid a world-record fee. I do feel sorry for him though, it wasn't his fault that Juve took us to the cleaners when we showed interest.
*Well not really but you know what I mean.
He needs to learn to do it when he's being closed down and not being given time or room to play, not when we're 2-0 up at home against some minnow. Even I could ping 60 yard passes with the outside of my right foot to Valencia on the wing in those circumstances.*
At the moment I'd say he's several notches below the top midfielders in the world. Which is unacceptable really given we paid a world-record fee. I do feel sorry for him though, it wasn't his fault that Juve took us to the cleaners when we showed interest.
*Well not really but you know what I mean.
Some of the stuff on here is ridiculous and clearly based on the fact we lost than anything else. If he's that bad, why aren't people consistently posting negative stuff on when we've won? TBH I've seen it so many times and stupid stuff said about new players at the club. The ultimate being CR...he was a show pony, one trick wonder, couldn't cross, too many step overs, selfish, self centred, all about him and his image....the list goes on. Those are the same people that are now saying he's a legend. It's ridiculous that people at some stage were talking about selling Giggs!!!!
It's just football and the patience as gone to fans that generally were born into a era when we were winning everything. This is an average team with good prem players. Nothing more than that. We are 5-6 players from being anything different. Pogba isn't going to change that....[/QUOTE]
Well said.
I'd add he doesn't even look the player of the beginning of the season.
Pogba's getting a battering tonight but this is a completely fair criticism.
Jogging around the pitch while Rojo, Rashford, Tony V and Ashley Young are running themselves into the ground.
Laughing and joking at the end of the game
He's a Spice Boy.
Laughing and joking at the end of the game
He's a Spice Boy.
People talking about him being dropped, and replace him with who? Fellini?!
Perhaps if you read my post correctly instead of jumping to things i never mentioned it may help. I mention a lack of commitment and questionable attitude during matches being the downfall of another player with a lot of natural talent, i.e. the balotelli comparison
I wasn't talking about the off field stuff and clearly stated what i meant but you went straight for the other stuff
I said to a friend, way before Pogback, that he's not going to develop into a world class typical all round centre midfielder. Sadly, he's proving me right so far. He needs to be played in a 3 man midfield, with a starting position higher up the pitch.
I'm going to bed.
I thought he was a lot more agile than he has looked recently - always seems a bit off the pace and v slow to close players down. I don't think we should judge him on his performance today as it was basically just waves of chelsea attacks with extra players.
I still don't really get where he's playing - you don't spend that silly money on a holding CM surely
I still don't really get where he's playing - you don't spend that silly money on a holding CM surely
Me too.
Lottery numbers for next week please....
So you want him to show passion and run around the pitch?
His weakness is he isn't good defensively and form that you are making a big leap.
My point is that to be a great player you need more than natural talent. Pogba is currently proving this.
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We didn't lose vs Liverpool and he was also slated.
My point is he had a poor game, why are you surprised if there are negative comments?
Its a football forum had he not put in a rubbish performance there wouldn't be negative comments in here
Jose out, he sanctioned the transfer.....
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