Pogba's transformation under Jose

[Womp]

This is something that's become evident to me as the season went on, was obvious today in particular. When he first joined he was self-indulgent, holding onto the ball for too long, trying pointless tricks, getting caught out of position and not tracking back etc.

Does anyone else feel his game is maturing under Jose? As the season has gone on his desire and maturity has increased too. He's tracking back, not spending as much time on the ball, sprinting forward when we're in posession to help the attack and sprinting back when out of posession to help the defence.

Exciting to see what Jose is turning him into.

 

[Web of Bissaka]

Agree, it's very noticeable actually.

Under Mourinho, Pogba improves by a lot ~ more maturity in his game, doing the simple passes more frequently, added discipline to his game, significant improvements in his working effort, improving defensive contributions and abilities, more team work, tactically and positionally discipline following instructions, his positioning and team movements improves too, etc.

True, initially in his first few games up until , he plays like a kid imo not much fighting spirit, and being too kind and friendly to our opponents so much so he often failed in the big games especially against Chelsea. Since then, turn of the year, his drastic improvements are so impressive, he plays more like a man, much maturity in his game. Making more simpler play options would lead to a more effective performance in winning matches.

Equally influential, I think his experience being coached by the national manager of France helps a lot too. Heard the coach was strict with him, which can be good ~ stressing the importance of playing for the team, positionally discipline being a holding Centre Midfielder, etc.

Pogba's playstyle is evolving this season should be improving a lot more next season and beyond, still not in his prime mind.

 

[AR87]

His positional discipline in the defensive structure has improved significantly. Also think his marking from set pieces has been better though he still has much room for growth in that area.

Overall, I think the experience and maturity he'll gain with age will see his decision making improve which is the overarching problem in all the little deficiencies in his game.

 

[Utdstar01]

I think the biggest compliment you can give him is it's night and day when he doesn't play. He's quite simply our most important player.

 

[Giant Midget]

His positional discipline in the defensive structure has improved significantly. Also think his marking from set pieces has been better though he still has much room for growth in that area.

Overall, I think the experience and maturity he'll gain with age will see his decision making improve which is the overarching problem in all the little deficiencies in his game.

Very noticeable in the final. But how much of that is him pulling his finger out for a game of this magnitude, and how much is him acquiring new defensive awareness? I guess we'll tell next season when Griezmann signs and he spends an extended period in a midfield two.

 

[Keeps It tidy]

He played pretty well early in the season except for maybe a match or too. The criticism of him was way over the top early on.

 

[RedCurry]

When he came to us he had a price tag that would have affected him even if he doesn't like to admit it. There was a certain sense of having-to-impress-all that he was obviously going to feel. There was a point to prove at the club that let him leave for free after all.

He seems settled more than anything. He was never afraid to track back but his technique just wasn't good enough and I still think he is weak defensively but his shear physicality is good enough to cover up his weakness in tackling/reading the game.

Once he got that early goal in the final, suddenly a huge pressure to perform must've been lifted off of his shoulders. The real proof of mentality will be when he's having a rough game and still manages to maintain focus and do basics right.

 

[Jib]

I still think that the version of Pogba with Juventus is better.

He's good with Mourinho and Deschamps but was a beast with Conte and Allegri...

Playing him in a midfield 2 or in a midfield 3 with Fellaini is a waste.. ( same with the french NT)

 

[Lentwood]

This is something that's become evident to me as the season went on, was obvious today in particular. When he first joined he was self-indulgent, holding onto the ball for too long, trying pointless tricks, getting caught out of position and not tracking back etc.

Does anyone else feel his game is maturing under Jose? As the season has gone on his desire and maturity has increased too. He's tracking back, not spending as much time on the ball, sprinting forward when we're in posession to help the attack and sprinting back when out of posession to help the defence.

Exciting to see what Jose is turning him into.

Yep definitely agree. Hasn't been picked up by the media or any of the "expert" pundits but what can we really expect from them?

Remember hearing Warren Joyce say earlier this season that nobody could ever, ever get Paul Pogba to tackle when he was at Utd first time around. Jose seems to have got across how important it is to do the horrible stuff as well

Also moves the ball much quicker. Can add him to the list of players (Darmian, Rojo, Bailly, Fellaini, Rashford, Herrera etc...) who have all improved significantly under the "coach who can't coach and only buys success"

 

[Synco]

He played pretty well early in the season except for maybe a match or too. The criticism of him was way over the top early on.

Think so too. He has gained more experience in his deeper role as the season went on and there's some defensive improvement, but he was top quality all along. It's mainly the perception of him that has changed recently.

 

[AXVnee7]

None of you have idea what you're talking about... According to Souness. What you think is good about Pogba is actually the result of a lack of understanding of football, that only he possesses. As such he has imparted his wisdom upon us that Pogba doesn't have an understanding of the game.

 

[Keeps It tidy]

Think so too. He has gained more experience in his deeper role as the season went on and there's some defensive improvement, but he was top quality all along. It's mainly the perception of him that has changed recently.

And it only took him missing a few games for the perception to change.

 

[harms]

None of you have idea what you're talking about... According to Souness. What you think is good about Pogba is actually the result of a lack of understanding of football, that only he possesses. As such he has imparted his wisdom upon us that Pogba doesn't have an understanding of the game.

He does have a point, even though he is clearly exaggerating. Hopefully Pogba will transform into such player in the future, there are positive signs already.

It's the old Scholes - Gerrard debate, really, with Pogba still being more resembling of the latter. Just went to check what Souness thinks about Gerrard... yeah

 

[adexkola]

I still think that the version of Pogba with Juventus is better.

He's good with Mourinho and Deschamps but was a beast with Conte and Allegri...

Playing him in a midfield 2 or in a midfield 3 with Fellaini is a waste.. ( same with the french NT)

Yep.

 

[AXVnee7]

He does have a point, even though he is clearly exaggerating. Hopefully Pogba will transform into such player in the future, there are positive signs already.

It's the old Scholes - Gerrard debate, really, with Pogba still being more resembling of the latter. Just went to check what Souness thinks about Gerrard... yeah

Any point he's trying to make is drowned out in saltiness and lack of objective analysis. It's one thing to suggest Pogba has failed to live up to expectations this season, and it's another to suggest he's a show pony with a lack of grasp on the fundamentals of midfield play.

 

[andersj]

Exciting to see what Jose is turning him into.

Almost as good as in Juve..

 

[el3mel]

I said it before in his performance thread, Jose is the perfect manager for him at this age.

He has all the talent any player can dream of but he needed to learn how to be disciplined tactically and no manager will learn him that as good as Jose imo. It's starting to show its effects and will be much better next season.

He's evolving and his characters as a midfielder will be really immense when he reaches his peak.

 

[EyeInTheSky]

None of you have idea what you're talking about... According to Souness. What you think is good about Pogba is actually the result of a lack of understanding of football, that only he possesses. As such he has imparted his wisdom upon us that Pogba doesn't have an understanding of the game.

He really has it in for him doesn't he? Fecking love it. Salty Scouse tears, GIVE ME MORE

 

[izec]

Pogba actually showed yesterday where he needs to be, closer to goal where he gets shots on target. He is capable of playing more disciplined and defensive, but i still think he should play further forward with less defensive duties and battles around our box. He is a special player and dangerous, which a lot of midfielders arent. It is a waste to let him play like a 30m midfielder when he can be a star.

It is good that he doesnt keep the ball longer and does his tricks in midfield and loses it against three players eventually, but positionally and tactically Jose uses him into what he wants him to be and he clearly isnt. He is a top player and could play anywhere and he would shine, but i still think we could get more out of him in a more offensive midfield role

 

[el3mel]

Pogba actually showed yesterday where he needs to be, closer to goal where he gets shots on target. He is capable of playing more disciplined and defensive, but i still think he should play further forward with less defensive duties and battles around our box. He is a special player and dangerous, which a lot of midfielders arent. It is a waste to let him play like a 30m midfielder when he can be a star.

It is good that he doesnt keep the ball longer and does his tricks in midfield and loses it against three players eventually, but positionally and tactically Jose uses him into what he wants him to be and he clearly isnt. He is a top player and could play anywhere and he would shine, but i still think we could get more out of him in a more offensive midfield role

Pogba is a number 8 player and that's what he played with us the whole season. He's not a number 6 nor a number 10. Being a number 8 is his perfect position. A player that can control the ball in the midfield and make long passes and throughs and at some points can go shoot,but also with normal defensive duties as any number 8 player.

He's not a number 10 player just as he's not a number 6 IMO. Jose used him right this season.

 

[izec]

Pogba is a number 8 player and that's what he played with us the whole season. He's not a number 6 nor a number 10. Being a number 8 is his perfect position. A player that can control the ball in the midfield and make long passes and throughs and at some points can go shoot,but also with normal defensive duties as any number 8 player.

He's not a number 10 player just as he's not a number 6 IMO. Jose used him right this season.

Not a number 10. I want him in a midfield 3 as the furthest player in midfield, something like a 8 and a half.

 

[el3mel]

Not a number 10. I want him in a midfield 3 as the furthest player in midfield, something like a 8 and a half.

Well then, I agree with this. No disagreements.

 

[AgentP]

I think the world record fee weighed Pogba down a bit in his initial month or two. He was trying to do too much to prove that he's worth the amount. He was taking unnecessary shots from too far away or trying to dribble past too many players. After his nerves settled and he realized that he doesn't have to do it all by himself, he started playing his normal game. With a good preseason this year, he can go up a level or two for us next season.

 

[Borden]

I still think that the version of Pogba with Juventus is better.

He's good with Mourinho and Deschamps but was a beast with Conte and Allegri...

Playing him in a midfield 2 or in a midfield 3 with Fellaini is a waste.. ( same with the french NT)

Those versions of Juve were much better than we currently are though. It's easier to play well in a well-functioning team and under managers who aren't afraid to attack every once in a while.

 

[Rado_N]

He does have a point, even though he is clearly exaggerating. Hopefully Pogba will transform into such player in the future, there are positive signs already.

It's the old Scholes - Gerrard debate, really, with Pogba still being more resembling of the latter. Just went to check what Souness thinks about Gerrard... yeah

Souness never has a point. He's just a bitter united hating dour old prick.

 

[3KDré]

I still want him to play with some more attacking freedom. I remember being so excited in his first game when he was just dribbling through their midfield and at times, not all the time, I would like to see that again.

 

[RC89]

I think the biggest compliment you can give him is it's night and day when he doesn't play. He's quite simply our most important player.

Agree. It's clear to see but he gets more stick than he deserves. By opposition fans and United fans alike. One thing though, I think Jose to an extent was misusing him at first playing him too deep. He needs someone behind him like we say last night or when Carrick plays behind him.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

None of you have idea what you're talking about... According to Souness. What you think is good about Pogba is actually the result of a lack of understanding of football, that only he possesses. As such he has imparted his wisdom upon us that Pogba doesn't have an understanding of the game.

I remember Alan Hanson used to have a bee in his bonnet about C Ronaldo.

 

[kouroux]

Souness never has a point. He's just a bitter united hating dour old prick.

I agree with this, I never have anything against criticism of things United related as long as they seem to make sense and they are. I have never heard Souness be anything other than a bitter old man.

 

[RooneyLegend]

He's got some way to go before he starts playing like how he used to at juve. All of these weaknesses he's shown this season are things he hadnt done in a long time. Honestly think a full pre season would do him a world of good.

 

[Enigma_87]

Not a number 10. I want him in a midfield 3 as the furthest player in midfield, something like a 8 and a half.

Indeed I really hope we go for a DM next to Herrera and have Pogba as the furthest of the midfield 3 in a 4-3-3. It's the best formation for us as well.

 

[WhoDaGOAT]

His decision making is still very questionable, for me.

Sometimes I have no clue what he's thinking with some of his long balls. There wasn't a player within 25 yards of the ball at times.

Also, that time he dallied on the ball and tried to be slick near his own byline? That was very naive and basically stupid. Gifted them a corner.

He's definitely improving in some areas, but I still expect a lot more next season. It was nice to see him receive some luck with a strike for once.

 

[dogwithabone]

Almost as good as in Juve..

He was probably better at Juve because it's a noticeably weaker league than the PL.

 

[Home&Away]

Now that the op said it I can see it too.

Saying that - because he seems less egotistical, I can see him suiting the role higher up/ the lampard role much better than he would have before.

 

[breakout67]

Those dreaming of Pogba playing like he played at Juve using a three man-midfield are in cuckoo land. Italy is a slow paced league, and with the protection of 2 midfielders doing your defensive work you'll be a highlight reel player.

You cannot forego defensive responsibilities in the PL because of the pace of the game and in La Liga they pressure you if you have the ball much more than in Seria A.

Using Pogba in a 3-man midfield just to accommodate him is doing the opposite of what you should do with a young midfielder; develop his all round game. Pogba plays as a box-to-box midfielder in both a 2 and 3 man midfield. He should never be resolved of all defensive responsibility or that part of his game will become worse with time.

 

[AkaAkuma]

None of you have idea what you're talking about... According to Souness. What you think is good about Pogba is actually the result of a lack of understanding of football, that only he possesses. As such he has imparted his wisdom upon us that Pogba doesn't have an understanding of the game.

The one point he really misses and that he doesn't get, is that Man United spent 90m on Pogba, 30m on Ferdinand, 30m on Rooney - for 10 years service. In those 10 years, Souness is going to look a fool in regards his comments.

 

[Still ill]

The one point he really misses and that he doesn't get, is that Man United spent 90m on Pogba, 30m on Ferdinand, 30m on Rooney - for 10 years service. In those 10 years, Souness is going to look a fool in regards his comments.

I think you may be overestimating the time it will take for Souness to look foolish.

 

[Snow]

Not a number 10. I want him in a midfield 3 as the furthest player in midfield, something like a 8 and a half.

8,5 rounds up to 9. Are you saying Pogba is a striker? This text is white

 

[RuudTom83]

I love that United hav Pogba, a player every team in the league wish they had.

Being the star of a Manchester United team means he will get shed loads of stick...I hope Paul learns not to listen to a single word of it!

 

[sammsky1]

I still think that the version of Pogba with Juventus is better.

He's good with Mourinho and Deschamps but was a beast with Conte and Allegri...

Playing him in a midfield 2 or in a midfield 3 with Fellaini is a waste.. ( same with the french NT)

I never really watched him play at Juve, but of course, I read the reports that he was a global star par excellence. Which is why I was so excited when we signed him.

There is no doubt he has improved since he arrived, especially in regard to positional and defensive duties. But he is still inconsistent and often goes missing in matches. And so I remain underwhelmed by him. I think his fans have been way too lenient in their analysis of him. Even last night, his passing radar was off and yet many proclaimed him as MOTM, despite the majority view being that Fellaini and Herrera had more influential games.

I'm not sure how he will make a dramatic improvement; at his age, its often only smaller incremental changes. But if he can continue his defensive contributions, learn to score more goals instead of hitting the woodwork and if our strikers can convert more of his assists, then maybe thats enough to truely elevate his contribution to world class standards.

That's my expectation. To be one of the top 3 central midfielders in world football. I think he should be judged to such standards.