[kafta]

He is a freak athlete. I've not seen anyone with so much raw physical ability, combined with such a rage of technical ability. Really has the full spectrum of football related abilities.

Looks like he's going to have a fantastic season.

Feck off Graeme Souness

 

[Robbie Boy]

I still read on twitter that he's more 'pop-star' than footballer and he's nowhere near the top midfielders in the world. Pathetic opinions from people who genuinely can't have watched him.

It's pathetic alright. When I see the last of the anti-Pogba-brigade that still remain, it's sad watching the straw clutching all to justify an opinion that is plain wrong.

 

[Craig Ward]

It's funny some downplay him by pointing out how another player is complementing him and he should be able to do it alone. But having Benzema be the foil for Ronaldo, or Xavi the supply line to Messi is completely ok as it's "chemistry" and "sum of the parts".

It's weird af. Like why are there other players around him with tactical roles.

Because Ronaldo is world class, he would perform regardless of who accompanied him. Same for Messi, world class, doesn't rely on other players to get the best out of him.

I agree, that having better players around you helps.

Case in point is Pogba is not yet world class, as he was off the boil all too often last season and didn't perform as well with Carrick/Herrera as he has done in the first 2 games with the quality of Matic. Pogba is reliant on other players helping him free up room and space. He's a work in progress, but not as good as people make out.

He performed well for Juve, but he had Vidal and Pirlo assisting him, both awesome players, he wasn't exactly a 1 man show there. I'm happy with how he's doing this year, but we need to realize he is an asset that needs work to ensure he makes the best of himself, not big up every pass he makes like he's the best player that ever walked on a football pitch

 

[Jib]

Because Ronaldo is world class, he would perform regardless of who accompanied him. Same for Messi, world class, doesn't rely on other players to get the best out of him.

I agree, that having better players around you helps.

Case in point is Pogba is not yet world class, as he was off the boil all too often last season and didn't perform as well with Carrick/Herrera as he has done in the first 2 games with the quality of Matic. Pogba is reliant on other players helping him free up room and space. He's a work in progress, but not as good as people make out.

He performed well for Juve, but he had Vidal and Pirlo assisting him, both awesome players, he wasn't exactly a 1 man show there. I'm happy with how he's doing this year, but we need to realize he is an asset that needs work to ensure he makes the best of himself, not big up every pass he makes like he's the best player that ever walked on a football pitch

Not true. His best season was without Vidal and Pirlo...

And Pogba was great with Carrick and Herrera too... even better than now !

A lot of people said the same thing in december last year..." Carrick allows Pogba to be free bla bla bla..."

Whenever Pogba is good, it is another midfielder that takes all the credit. It is pathetic.

 

[RedCurry]

He didn't start the game particularly great against Swansea. He looked quite frustrated and as we've seen against Liverpool, he makes awful decisions when things aren't going his way. Weirdly, the ref seemed to have calmed him down after his late tackle on the edge of their penalty box when he was already on a yellow.

I think he needs someone to talk to him on the field when his head starts to drop.

 

[Rhyme Animal]

He didn't start the game particularly great against Swansea. He looked quite frustrated and as we've seen against Liverpool, he makes awful decisions when things aren't going his way. Weirdly, the ref seemed to have calmed him down after his late tackle on the edge of their penalty box when he was already on a yellow.

I think he needs someone to talk to him on the field when his head starts to drop.

I would suggest that his new MF partner did just that on Saturday...

Have never seen Pogba turn around a performance like that before.

 

[Adnan]

Because Ronaldo is world class, he would perform regardless of who accompanied him. Same for Messi, world class, doesn't rely on other players to get the best out of him.

I agree, that having better players around you helps.

Case in point is Pogba is not yet world class, as he was off the boil all too often last season and didn't perform as well with Carrick/Herrera as he has done in the first 2 games with the quality of Matic. Pogba is reliant on other players helping him free up room and space. He's a work in progress, but not as good as people make out.

He performed well for Juve, but he had Vidal and Pirlo assisting him, both awesome players, he wasn't exactly a 1 man show there. I'm happy with how he's doing this year, but we need to realize he is an asset that needs work to ensure he makes the best of himself, not big up every pass he makes like he's the best player that ever walked on a football pitch

You do understand that he's only 24 and achieved so much in his career so far? Zidane was moving from Bordeaux to Juventus at the same age..

Not sure why you keep bringing Matic up to down play Pogba's contributions in the last two games. Pogba played a deeper role last season and didn't even have a pre-season with us to get himself accustomed to his new team and different role to the one he played at Juventus. We broke the transfer record last year on a 23yr old for his creativity and all-around influence he displays in a game in a advanced midfield role. Juventus had one of the best midfields in the world and he was part of that. When he arrived at our club last summer, he didn't have the luxury of playing Alongside a Vidal or Pirlo. Our midfield was nowhere near as good as Juve's. He was deployed in a more disciplined role for us due to the lack of quality we had in the holding midfield role.

The signing of Matic was fantastic due to him being very good in the holding midfield role, and taking some defensive responsibility away from Pogba, which we all want to see due to Pogba's world class potential. We want to see Pogba do damage in the opposing half and spend more time creating and starting attacks than to see him playing too deep in our own half worrying about opposing player's. That's what Matic is there for.

 

[luke511]

People also forget how often Ronaldo went missing for utd in the big games, Pogba is 100% world class.

 

[RedCurry]

I would suggest that his new MF partner did just that on Saturday...

Have never seen Pogba turn around a performance like that before.

He has a friend and a fellow top class player in Lukaku on the field as well. I think they are the types to tell each other like it is. I only see positives from the professional relationship these two have.

 

[Sayros]

Because Ronaldo is world class, he would perform regardless of who accompanied him. Same for Messi, world class, doesn't rely on other players to get the best out of him.

I agree, that having better players around you helps.

Case in point is Pogba is not yet world class, as he was off the boil all too often last season and didn't perform as well with Carrick/Herrera as he has done in the first 2 games with the quality of Matic. Pogba is reliant on other players helping him free up room and space. He's a work in progress, but not as good as people make out.

He performed well for Juve, but he had Vidal and Pirlo assisting him, both awesome players, he wasn't exactly a 1 man show there. I'm happy with how he's doing this year, but we need to realize he is an asset that needs work to ensure he makes the best of himself, not big up every pass he makes like he's the best player that ever walked on a football pitch

Your argument is pointless because both Cristiano and Messi had the best teams in world football surrounding them. So you really don't know how well they would do on a lesser team. Also, you're comparing apples with oranges as Pogba is a central midfielder, not an attacking player with the whole team meant to provide them with goalscoring opportunities.

Pogba is a world-class player, find me another central midfielder as complete as him at his age. However, the role he plays is dependent on having other players capable of taking advantage of his passing. He's never been someone who scores 20+ goals/season and he never will be, that's not his role.

Honestly, you just sound like you have a personal problem with him, especially with that last comment you made. I love players who have flair to them, you seem to have an issue with it. It's not as if he's detrimental to the team, but with every player with flair you'll have some moments where they went over-the-top instead of the simple pass, even with Cristiano, Ronaldinho, Messi (well not as much, he's pretty efficient and not too flashy).

 

[Rozay]

A strong performance from either him, Mkhitaryan, Matic, Lukaku or even Martial this weekend will likely see one of them get the PL Player of the Month for August.

 

[Mr Smith]

Because Ronaldo is world class, he would perform regardless of who accompanied him. Same for Messi, world class, doesn't rely on other players to get the best out of him.

I agree, that having better players around you helps.

Case in point is Pogba is not yet world class, as he was off the boil all too often last season and didn't perform as well with Carrick/Herrera as he has done in the first 2 games with the quality of Matic. Pogba is reliant on other players helping him free up room and space. He's a work in progress, but not as good as people make out.

He performed well for Juve, but he had Vidal and Pirlo assisting him, both awesome players, he wasn't exactly a 1 man show there. I'm happy with how he's doing this year, but we need to realize he is an asset that needs work to ensure he makes the best of himself, not big up every pass he makes like he's the best player that ever walked on a football pitch

Comparing Messi or Ronaldo to Pogba (or anyone, really) as though that is the standard required for a player to be considered world class is nonsensical. Messi and Ronaldo are pantheon players, few players in history even come close to them, let alone players from this era. I'm sick of pundits and fans comparing players to Messi and Ronaldo as though that's the standard we should expect from them, completely ignoring those players are once in a generation talents. If we're talking about world-class players, we're talking about players like Kroos, Hazard, Aguero, Lewandowsi, Vidal, Dybala. Those players are the standard Pogba should be compared against, not superhumans like Messi and Ronaldo.

 

[Pexbo]

Comparing Messi or Ronaldo to Pogba (or anyone, really) as though that is the standard required for a player to be considered world class is nonsensical. Messi and Ronaldo are pantheon players, few players in history even come close to them, let alone players from this era. I'm sick of pundits and fans comparing players to Messi and Ronaldo as though that's the standard we should expect from them, completely ignoring those players are once in a generation talents. If we're talking about world-class players, we're talking about players like Kroos, Hazard, Aguero, Lewandowsi, Vidal, Dybala. Those players are the standard Pogba should be compared against, not superhumans like Messi and Ronaldo.

Only they're not are they?

 

[Craig Ward]

Your argument is pointless because both Cristiano and Messi had the best teams in world football surrounding them. So you really don't know how well they would do on a lesser team. Also, you're comparing apples with oranges as Pogba is a central midfielder, not an attacking player with the whole team meant to provide them with goalscoring opportunities.

Pogba is a world-class player, find me another central midfielder as complete as him at his age. However, the role he plays is dependent on having other players capable of taking advantage of his passing. He's never been someone who scores 20+ goals/season and he never will be, that's not his role.

Honestly, you just sound like you have a personal problem with him, especially with that last comment you made. I love players who have flair to them, you seem to have an issue with it. It's not as if he's detrimental to the team, but with every player with flair you'll have some moments where they went over-the-top instead of the simple pass, even with Cristiano, Ronaldinho, Messi (well not as much, he's pretty efficient and not too flashy).

I also love players with flair, that's the best thing about football. No issue there.

Issue I have is people who think Pogba is world class when he isn't......yet. I love how much potential he has and love the fact he will get better with us. Just baffles me how people think he is the best player on the planet when at times he looks lazy and cant make a simple pass or a stupid decision (while I agree he is not the only player we have who does this). Just because he cost 90mil or whatever, doesn't mean he's the complete player and cannot be critiqued.

On the whole, to clarify I rate Pogba as much as the next guy. He's a top player who will get better. I want him to influence games more and live up to the hype

 

[roonster09]

Issue I have is people who think Pogba is world class when he isn't......yet. I love how much potential he has and love the fact he will get better with us. Just baffles me how people think he is the best player on the planet when at times he looks lazy and cant make a simple pass or a stupid decision (while I agree he is not the only player we have who does this). Just because he cost 90mil or whatever, doesn't mean he's the complete player and cannot be critiqued.

There isn't a fixed definition on what makes player world class, so not sure why you have issue with it.

So Pogba looks lazy and can't make simple pass? Looks lazy or is he lazy? Because last time I watched him he went from 1 box to another in the last mins of the game to score a goal and next time to assist a goal.

 

[Mourinhonista]

It's unbelievable how good a player he is.

But for the sake of longevity, i hope he gets a proper rest from time to time. With all due respect, i think Mourinho has a habit of overplaying some of his most trusted lieutenants, e.g. see Lampard or last season Ibrahimovic. Mourinho is not alone, Ancelotti is similar, tbf.

 

[Brightonian]

It's unbelievable how good a player he is.

But for the sake of longevity, i hope he gets a proper rest from time to time. With all due respect, i think Mourinho has a habit of overplaying some of his most trusted lieutenants, e.g. see Lampard or last season Ibrahimovic. Mourinho is not alone, Ancelotti is similar, tbf.

It's probably short-termist, but I love that Mourinho tends towards a consistent XI where possible rather than lots of rotation.

That said, Herrera hasn't even played yet, and the job Pogba has done in the first two games is the same sort of role Herrera is best in, so if he needs a rest we have one of the league's best midfielders ready to step in. And with Matic in the side now, we don't have to worry about losing our physical presence in midfield.

 

[Brightonian]

Umm no. Last season, Ibra and Pogba together had great chemistry on the field, and worked really well together. Pogba's start to the season has to do with factors other than Ibra (Matic, team in better form, much better preseason etc.).

Nah, I'm with Wade3. Ibra dropped deep so you got to see a lot of fancy little passing moves between the two of them. But in terms of Pogba dominating games the space created by Lukaku, and the chance to drop assists onto someone with the pace to actually use them, is a much better fit. Ibra was like a crutch getting in the way of someone whose legs are fine. Pogba is more than capable of doing the creative stuff behind the strikers himself, he doesn't need his #9 to keep dropping into the hole with him.

Also the one thing he really needed from Ibra - to put away the chances he created for him - didn't happen consistently enough.

 

[Craig Ward]

There isn't a fixed definition on what makes player world class, so not sure why you have issue with it.

So Pogba looks lazy and can't make simple pass? Looks lazy or is he lazy? Because last time I watched him he went from 1 box to another in the last mins of the game to score a goal and next time to assist a goal.

He did in that game, yes. Well done for pointing that out.

I don't think I can be any clearer, I think Pogba has world class ability. It's taken the signing of Matic to free him up a little, and I hope he continues to improve and become world class.

Last season he was a 5/6 out of 10 in most games, this season he was average against Real and top class in the first 2 prem games. I hope he continues this form

 

[Stacks]

People also forget how often Ronaldo went missing for utd in the big games, Pogba is 100% world class.

just a myth. Maybe as a teenager but once he became a top player he regularly did damage. The term World Class has had its meaning diminished.

2007
Champions League quarter-finals
Manchester United 7-1 Roma
2 goals

Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, Ronaldo helped drive United into the last four with a complete dismantling of the Italians.

Champions League semi-finals
Manchester United 3-2 AC Milan
1 goal

Fergie's men took the first leg in a thriller with Milan.

Premier League
Manchester City 0-1 Manchester United
1 goal

The game that eventually clinched United the title.

Premier League
Arsenal 2-2 Manchester United
1 goal

He was just beginning to turn into a scoring machine at this stage.

2008
Champions League 2nd round
Manchester United 1-0 Lyon
1 goal

Helps United through to the last eight.

Premier League
Manchester 3-0 Liverpool
1 goal

Any goal against the old enemy is a big goal.

Champions League quarter-finals
Roma 0-2 Manchester United
1 goal

Motoring now.

Champions League final
Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea
1 goal

Hang time, accuracy, pure neck-muscle power.


2009
Champions League semi-finals
Arsenal 1-3 Manchester United
2 goals

Another final booked.

Premier League
Manchester United 2-0 Manchester City
1 goal

Loves scoring against City almost as much as he does scoring at Arsenal.

 

[Mr Smith]

Only they're not are they?

Lets not get tied up in the language, you understand the point I'm making.

 

[Jib]

Pogba is world class even if you don't like him

 

[Bwuk]

The cafs ratings are laughable. How on earth is Pogba on a 6.5 for this season. 2 goals, 2 assists in 3 games ffs.

 

[unitedforeveral]

I think that pass was a fluke and he actually meant to play in Martial.

That's just ridiculous. U cannot be that bad at judging that pass. It was no where near Martial. It was a brilliant pass.

 

[DannyDee]

Because Ronaldo is world class, he would perform regardless of who accompanied him. Same for Messi, world class, doesn't rely on other players to get the best out of him.

I agree, that having better players around you helps.

Case in point is Pogba is not yet world class, as he was off the boil all too often last season and didn't perform as well with Carrick/Herrera as he has done in the first 2 games with the quality of Matic. Pogba is reliant on other players helping him free up room and space. He's a work in progress, but not as good as people make out.

He performed well for Juve, but he had Vidal and Pirlo assisting him, both awesome players, he wasn't exactly a 1 man show there. I'm happy with how he's doing this year, but we need to realize he is an asset that needs work to ensure he makes the best of himself, not big up every pass he makes like he's the best player that ever walked on a football pitch

Wingers/playmakers with limited defensive responsibility aren't comparable to midfield play. An unreliable defensive midfielder next to him drastically increases Pogba's need to play a more defensive and restrained game.

Those guys you've mentioned, have also always had a ridiculous supporting cast.

Pogba is pretty clearly World class at this point. The only midfield in the world where there is a debate of whether he would walk into the starting 11 is Real Madrid.

 

[freeurmind]

His defensive positioning was again suspect against Swansea. Once it led to Bailly rushing out to cover for him and then Matic covering for Bailly and then eventually a free header for Abraham. Also when Matic gets up the field to pressure the ball, he doesn't drop back to cover for him. I think that's why Mourinho got Fellaini on and pushed Pogba further upfield. Long-term, unless he sorts that side of his game out, I can't see it being possible to play him in a midfield 2 against most teams in the league. Also for a player his size, he is crap at defending set-pieces. They've put him on zonal duty now since he was so bad at man-marking last season (though to be fair so was most of the team) but he seems to often misjudge the flight of the ball and doesn't really attack the ball. He needs to sort out these aspects of his game before we can even think of calling him world-class.

 

[roonster09]

His defensive positioning was again suspect against Swansea. Once it led to Bailly rushing out to cover for him and then Matic covering for Bailly and then eventually a free header for Randle. Also when Matic gets up the field to pressure the ball, he doesn't drop back to cover for him. I think that's why Mourinho got Fellaini on and pushed Pogba further upfield. Long-term, unless he sorts that side of his game out, I can't see it being possible to play him in a midfield 2 against most teams in the league. Also for a player his size, he is crap at defending set-pieces. They've put him on zonal duty now since he was so bad at man-marking last season (though to be fair so was most of the team) but he seems to often misjudge the flight of the ball and doesn't really attack the ball. He needs to sort out these aspects of his game before we can even think of calling him world-class.

Yeah creative midfielder should be worried about defensive positioning, If Swansea player had free header then you are pointing fingers at wrong player. Pogba's role is not to provide defensive stability, we have players for that.

Xavi, Iniesta, Scholes, Pirlo and many more were all not expert in defensive phase of the game and all of them were world class.

 

[Robbie Boy]

His performances are micro-analysed to death. It's gotten beyond fecking tedious at this stage. The guy has 2 goals and 2 assists so far and yet he still gets criticised by some.

 

[roonster09]

His performances are micro-analysed to death. It's gotten beyond fecking tedious at this stage. The guy has 2 goals and 2 assists so far and yet he still gets criticised by some.

But defensively he missed some runs and was 5 yards to the right when Swansea attacked

 

[Robbie Boy]

But defensively he missed some runs and was 5 yards to the right when Swansea attacked

It's mental. It's ok, some can just admit that they don't like him as constantly attempting to downplay his performances is pathetic at this stage. Let's also not mention the fact that some of his passing and dribbling the past few games, has set up numerous attacks.

 

[roonster09]

It's mental. It's ok, some can just admit that they don't like him as constantly attempting to downplay his performances is pathetic at this stage. Let's also not mention the fact that some of his passing and dribbling the past few games, has set up numerous attacks.

Exactly. He is playing in midfield but creates so many chances. This micro analysis has gone too far.

 

[CG1010]

Its astonishing that for a fan base who hasn't seen superb quality in midfield since Scholes retired to criticse Pogba so much. He has his moments where he is poor but the high quality moments remind me of the United of old when we were simply better than everyone!

What would this forum have us to do? Have Anderson and Cleverley back in the midfield?

 

[freeurmind]

Yeah creative midfielder should be worried about defensive positioning, If Swansea player had free header then you are pointing fingers at wrong player. Pogba's role is not to provide defensive stability, we have players for that.

Xavi, Iniesta, Scholes, Pirlo and many more were all not expert in defensive phase of the game and all of them were world class.

Shows how closely you watched all those players you mentioned if you think they weren't great in the defensive phase of the game.

 

[roonster09]

Shows how closely you watched all those players you mentioned if you think they weren't great in the defensive phase of the game.

Yeah sure, Pirlo, Xavi, Iniesta, Scholes were tracking runners in the box.

 

[freeurmind]

Matic in the press conference after the first game made a great point. Football is a team game and everyone has to do their job and fulfil their roles. Pogba is fantastic going forward but needs to work on the other side of the game.

 

[Needham]

I think Neymar costing twice as much as him has given Pogba a new lease of life.

 

[unitedforeveral]

I think he will be United captain next year.

TRUE THAT!

 

[unitedforeveral]

Yeah, looked at it again and there was more height on it than I realised. And the centre back probably would have cut out the pass I thought Pogba meant. So yeah, I'm probably wrong tbh.

exactly!

 

[unitedforeveral]

Best player on the pitch by far.

There is one player who can match him in the near future and that is Marcus Rashford!

 

[Jib]

There is one player who can match him in the near future and that is Marcus Rashford!

Rashford ? Martial has a better potential.