[shield]

I am worried about his return. The pressure on him will be enormous. Think, even more than what it was when he played his first game after being signed.

He is being seen as the answer to everything that is wrong with our attack and midfield at the moment, 'Mkhi underperforming', 'Midfield struggling', 'Herrera not good enough', 'Attack lacking cohesion', 'Struggling against mediocre teams'.

I wished we had learnt how to play when he is not in the team. Him being out is could be viewed an opportunity to find out how to manage things without him. The only thing we have managed to prove is that our forward play is rubbish without him. Right now our attack looks absolute shambles. First half displays are so poor, we might as well replace the front three with defenders in the first half and bring them on in the second half. We won't even notice the difference.

 

[el3mel]

I am worried about his return. The pressure on him will be enormous. Think, even more than what it was when he played his first game after being signed.

He is being seen as the answer to everything that is wrong with our attack and midfield at the moment, 'Mkhi underperforming', 'Midfield struggling', 'Herrera not good enough', 'Attack lacking cohesion', 'Struggling against mediocre teams'.

I wished we had learnt how to play when he is not in the team. Him being out is could be viewed an opportunity to find out how to manage things without him. The only thing we have managed to prove is that our forward play is rubbish without him. Right now our attack looks absolute shambles. First half displays are so poor, we might as well replace the front three with defenders in the first half and bring them on in the second half. We won't even notice the difference.

He doesn't read these sorts of things, though, does he ? The only thing that can put pressure on him is the media but he's a professional footballer and used to the media BS anyway.

 

[Deleted member 101472]

Pogba's performances this season are kind of in line with what the modern all action central midfielder needs to be doing, and I think he's certainly one of if not the best at it.

Since most teams have now sussed out that pressing all over the park is effective, time on the ball is of the essence when you're in the opposition half. There are a few ways to bypass the press, and Pogba is the best player in our team at;

1. Holding off his marker utilising strength, and then opening up space for himself or teammate
2. Balls over the top in behind

I haven't been at a game in a while but i can almost guarantee that the off the ball movement from our attacking players is different to when Pogba was playing.

He takes a lot of risks as well but they have paid off for him so far this season. His stature and influence has demanded special attention from every opposition we've faced and subsequently, his mere presence makes it a little easier for our other attack minded players to find space.

it's probably hyperbole but if he just comes back into the team like he never left, we go back to looking like a more complete side. We simply do not have the personnel to "win" midfield battles without him, more likely settling to momentarily disrupt teams through the middle (mostly matic)

Lastly, pogba's return MUST signal the end of Herrera featuring as a started. Have defended him over the years but he is severely limiting our play, and his decision making at times is non existent.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I am worried about his return. The pressure on him will be enormous. Think, even more than what it was when he played his first game after being signed.

He is being seen as the answer to everything that is wrong with our attack and midfield at the moment, 'Mkhi underperforming', 'Midfield struggling', 'Herrera not good enough', 'Attack lacking cohesion', 'Struggling against mediocre teams'.

I wished we had learnt how to play when he is not in the team. Him being out is could be viewed an opportunity to find out how to manage things without him. The only thing we have managed to prove is that our forward play is rubbish without him. Right now our attack looks absolute shambles. First half displays are so poor, we might as well replace the front three with defenders in the first half and bring them on in the second half. We won't even notice the difference.

I would have thought you'd have enough stuff to feel worried about right now without adding the return of our best player to that list...

 

[shield]

I would have thought you'd have enough stuff to feel worried about right now without adding the return of our best player to that list...

That was back when things were looking bad but could still be passed off as a bad patch.

Was hoping we would learn to find out how to play when he is absent. Hopeless to expect that.

Right now midfield is in crisis mode. Our players cannot even manage to string two passes together without him. Desperately need him back.

 

[Coops73]

Can’t wait to get him back and see whatever new barnet he’s got and I reckon he’ll do a job for us in midfield too.

 

[deafepl]

He's back!

 

[Member 90887]

 

[fellaini's barber]

Everybody hoping for this massive improvement of the whole team when he comes back will be in for a shock I'm afraid.

 

[Ban]

Everybody hoping for this massive improvement of the whole team when he comes back will be in for a shock I'm afraid.

What about a slight improvement, not a massive one? Is that ok to hope for?

 

[Raees]

Everybody hoping for this massive improvement of the whole team when he comes back will be in for a shock I'm afraid.

We will definitely improve with him in the side. That said, our performances were beginning to decline even with him in the side in the last group of games before his injury.

He's a big plus, but not enough of a game controller to radically change our whole style of play week in week out and make us dominate big teams.

Overall super glad he's back though. At least he produces entertaining moments on the pitch and has an attacking mentality on the ball, that alone is worth being grateful for.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

We will definitely improve with him in the side. That said, our performances were beginning to decline even with him in the side in the last group of games before his injury.

He's a big plus, but not enough of a game controller to radically change our whole style of play week in week out and make us dominate big teams.

Overall super glad he's back though. At least he produces entertaining moments on the pitch and has an attacking mentality on the ball, that alone is worth being grateful for.

Well we dominated Spurs for 45 minutes at Old Trafford without him, so he won't need to improve us massively to dominate them for the full 90. Dominating big teams away from home looks like something we're a long way short of doing tbf. I don't realistically think that's something we'll see much of this season, if at all. We could still have a very successful season without doing this, mind you.

 

[Trizy]

Sign out of favour Vidal. Imagine a midfield 3 of Vidal-Matic-Pogba.

 

[Raees]

Well we dominated Spurs for 45 minutes at Old Trafford without him, so he won't need to improve us massively to dominate them for the full 90. Dominating big teams away from home looks like something we're a long way short of doing tbf. I don't realistically think that's something we'll see much of this season, if at all. We could still have a very successful season without doing this, mind you.

Well disagree with the fact we dominated Spurs for 45 minutes, but I agree with the general premise that at home, we do have it in us to dominate any side in patches (possession wise) with or without Pogba purely because we just have a more proactive approach at home and the players seem to be more aggressive in terms of movement and passing. Pogba will obviously enhance that further.

Away from home like you said is a different story. No pressure from home fans to play proactively and thus leaves the team solely to Mourinho's desires and agree that Pogba alone, won't really mitigate the effect of those negative tactics single-handedly.

He can maybe in 5-10 minute spells, make an impact away from home, but it won't be enough to make us a front-foot side away from home against any team in decent form and looking to play aggressively against us, let alone big teams. His big match record away from home hasn't suggested he has had it in him to lead us to a dominant big match away win just yet.

 

[kouroux]

Sign out of favour Vidal. Imagine a midfield 3 of Vidal-Matic-Pogba.

Vidal is past his best and is very prone to silly fouls and yellow cards.

 

[Ban]

Vidal is past his best and is very prone to silly fouls and yellow cards.

Plus he's on the booze.

 

[fellaini's barber]

What about a slight improvement, not a massive one? Is that ok to hope for?

We'll improve of course, create more chances especially for Lukaku for one, but I'm afraid our overrall gameplay especially in the tough games like Chelsea will be the same. People don't seem to remember it but even last season Pogba tended to go missing in the tough games. We'll still be shit against the big teams but I guess we'll be able to win the likes of Huddersfield again.

 

[TwoSheds]

We'll improve of course, create more chances especially for Lukaku for one, but I'm afraid our overrall gameplay especially in the tough games like Chelsea will be the same. People don't seem to remember it but even last season Pogba tended to go missing in the tough games. We'll still be shit against the big teams but I guess we'll be able to win the likes of Huddersfield again.

Is Pogba shit in big games or is Mourinho then? I assumed it was him being dumb and bombing on when he shouldn't, but given how dire we've been with Herrera trying to play that role, maybe it's just shit tactics?

I suspect they're tactics that might work with Matic and Pogba together though, so let's see. Still, pretty poor if you can only compete in big games when you've either no injuries or, that rarest of things, Fellaini is on top of his game.

 

[fellaini's barber]

We will definitely improve with him in the side. That said, our performances were beginning to decline even with him in the side in the last group of games before his injury.

He's a big plus, but not enough of a game controller to radically change our whole style of play week in week out and make us dominate big teams.

Overall super glad he's back though. At least he produces entertaining moments on the pitch and has an attacking mentality on the ball, that alone is worth being grateful for.

Agree completely. I remember in that flattering to deceive thread after the Everton game where we won 4-0, I said we were definitely flattering to deceive as fecking Everton dominated us throughout the 2nd half till the 80th minute where they gifted us a goal and fell completely apart and we scored 4, people called me spoilt,miserable and the usual. Pogba was in that game and lots of games where we just get dominated by even shit teams. Where he does help us though is in chance creation and any form of creativity. As a team we're woeful in this aspect, our only hope of doing something different from square passes and hoofing is on individual players brilliance. We'll improve when he comes back definitely, but like you said enough to make us not look clueless when we meet the big boys.

 

[fellaini's barber]

Is Pogba shit in big games or is Mourinho then? I assumed it was him being dumb and bombing on when he shouldn't, but given how dire we've been with Herrera trying to play that role, maybe it's just shit tactics?

I suspect they're tactics that might work with Matic and Pogba together though, so let's see. Still, pretty poor if you can only compete in big games when you've either no injuries or, that rarest of things, Fellaini is on top of his game.

Man I don't know what it is, but what I've noticed is, we struggle against any team who know how to keep the ball well and pass it around. We don't press and we are terrible at winning the ball back, we just let them pass us by and hope whatever their doing falls apart when they get to our box,its a team thing. I've noticed that when this happens, especially from 60 mins and above, even Pogba just starts jogging around unable to do nothing about it. I don't think there's anything Pogba as an individual can do about it, pairing him with Matic helps though. So its a combination of both, I don't think Pogba influences big games enough and Mourinho's setting up not to lose doen't help either

 

[Di Maria's angel]

Well disagree with the fact we dominated Spurs for 45 minutes, but I agree with the general premise that at home, we do have it in us to dominate any side in patches (possession wise) with or without Pogba purely because we just have a more proactive approach at home and the players seem to be more aggressive in terms of movement and passing. Pogba will obviously enhance that further.

Away from home like you said is a different story. No pressure from home fans to play proactively and thus leaves the team solely to Mourinho's desires and agree that Pogba alone, won't really mitigate the effect of those negative tactics single-handedly.

He can maybe in 5-10 minute spells, make an impact away from home, but it won't be enough to make us a front-foot side away from home against any team in decent form and looking to play aggressively against us, let alone big teams. His big match record away from home hasn't suggested he has had it in him to lead us to a dominant big match away win just yet.

First half:

United had 2 shots; 71% passing accuracy; 1 chance created, 5 take ons and 8 crosses into the Spurs box. As for the defensive side, we had 6 interceptions, 15 clearances and 9 blocks.
Spurs had 10 shots; 77% passing accuracy; 9 chances created, 10 take ons and 9 crosses into our box. Defensively, as above, they had 11, 13 and 7, respectively.

Second half:

We had, using the same criteria above, the following numbers: 9 shots, 68% pass, 5 chances, 8 take ons and 15 crosses. 8, 17 and 6 for the last three categories.
Spurs, on the other hand, had the following: 3 shots, 77% pass, 3 chances, 3 take ons and 8 crosses. And, lastly, they had 7 interceptions, 22 clearances and 10 blocks.
We also won a large majority of the aerial duels in the second half.

Stats obviously don't paint the whole picture, but, even by watching the game, I felt we were significantly better than them in the 2nd half - to point where we dominated them both by being better than them going forward whilst also shutting their attack down. If you ask me, that's is the definition of dominating your opponent. We created a higher number of chances, we hit the post, we had Davies scrambling to clear their lines, we had Lloris making some super saves, Lingard should have made it 2-0. They had pot shots from Sissoko, Aurier, Alderweireld and others which made up most of their shots at our goal. I don't remember De Gea making a save.

Moreover, we gave their defence more work to do in the second half, too. However, given the current state of this forum, people dismissed the performance and some claimed that we only beat them because they didn't have Kane. We shut out a team that scored 7 goals around the game against ours and that, too, against Liverpool and Real Madrid. We made their defence look shaky, at times, and in the end, schooled them with a route 1 goal. In fairness, we should have beaten them 3/4-1. Lukaku was extremely unlucky once and Lingard should have put his chance away. Alli spurned Spurs' only clear cut chance in the game.

If people want to criticise our style, go ahead and use the game against Liverpool, and maybe even Chelsea, however, our game against Tottenham was nothing alike to the aforementioned two. We started slow, yes; but we deservedly won the game with a very good second half performance where we dominated our opponent.

 

[Raees]

First half:

United had 2 shots; 71% passing accuracy; 1 chance created, 5 take ons and 8 crosses into the Spurs box. As for the defensive side, we had 6 interceptions, 15 clearances and 9 blocks.
Spurs had 10 shots; 77% passing accuracy; 9 chances created, 10 take ons and 9 crosses into our box. Defensively, as above, they had 11, 13 and 7, respectively.

Second half:

We had, using the same criteria above, the following numbers: 9 shots, 68% pass, 5 chances, 8 take ons and 15 crosses. 8, 17 and 6 for the last three categories.
Spurs, on the other hand, had the following: 3 shots, 77% pass, 3 chances, 3 take ons and 8 crosses. And, lastly, they had 7 interceptions, 22 clearances and 10 blocks.
We also won a large majority of the aerial duels in the second half.

Stats obviously don't paint the whole picture, but, even by watching the game, I felt we were significantly better than them in the 2nd half - to point where we dominated them both by being better than them going forward whilst also shutting their attack down. If you ask me, that's is the definition of dominating your opponent. We created a higher number of chances, we hit the post, we had Davies scrambling to clear their lines, we had Lloris making some super saves, Lingard should have made it 2-0. They had pot shots from Sissoko, Aurier, Alderweireld and others which made up most of their shots at our goal. I don't remember De Gea making a save.

Moreover, we gave their defence more work to do in the second half, too. However, given the current state of this forum, people dismissed the performance and some claimed that we only beat them because they didn't have Kane. We shut out a team that scored 7 goals around the game against ours and that, too, against Liverpool and Real Madrid. We made their defence look shaky, at times, and in the end, schooled them with a route 1 goal. In fairness, we should have beaten them 3/4-1. Lukaku was extremely unlucky once and Lingard should have put his chance away. Alli spurned Spurs' only clear cut chance in the game.

If people want to criticise our style, go ahead and use the game against Liverpool, and maybe even Chelsea, however, our game against Tottenham was nothing alike to the aforementioned two. We started slow, yes; but we deservedly won the game with a very good second half performance where we dominated our opponent.

Sorry to make you have to do all that. For some reason I have read Pogue's comment as us dominating the first 45 minutes. We were definitely the better side in the second half.

 

[Di Maria's angel]

Sorry to make you have to do all that. For some reason I have read Pogue's comment as us dominating the first 45 minutes. We were definitely the better side in the second half.

No worries. I like stats and numbers, and there are quite a few who downplayed the performance to suit their side of the the current division on this forum.

 

[KN5]

Everybody hoping for this massive improvement of the whole team when he comes back will be in for a shock I'm afraid.

Hey what are the lottery numbers a year from now?

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Vidal is past his best and is very prone to silly fouls and yellow cards.

Also if there is any chance Bayern want rid. Steer well clear.

 

[Ban]

No worries. I like stats and numbers, and there are quite a few who downplayed the performance to suit their side of the the current division on this forum.

It's downright strange, even in our big, bad crisis we're apparently in right now we played a good game, not brilliant but a good game against an inform opponent and even that one is downplayed with 'if Alli has scored from that chance' and 'they didnt have Kane' and sort.

 

[Di Maria's angel]

It's downright strange, even in our big, bad crisis we're apparently in right now we played a good game, not brilliant but a good game against an inform opponent and even that one is downplayed with 'if Alli has scored from that chance' and 'they didnt have Kane' and sort.

Yup. And when our side (if I can call it that) argues that our performances had gone down hill because we're missing our best player, we get responses such as "its indicative of how poor we are that we rely on one player to construct our attacks" and other silly responses. However, when we beat Tottenham, their (dark) side argues that we only beat them because Kane wasn't there - how bad are Tottenham that they rely on Kane?

If you ask me, it's a silly time to be alive. Personally, I've learnt to be a little more patient after the last few years but some parts of this forum seem to lack that ability. Sounds harsh but, imo, seems true.

We were nothing without Rooney in 09/10 and would have been equally bad without RvP in 12/13. It's no surprise that we're poor without our best player in 17/18.

 

[Ban]

Yup. And when our side (if I can call it that) argues that our performances had gone down hill because we're missing our best player, we get responses such as "its indicative of how poor we are that we rely on one player to construct our attacks" and other silly responses. However, when we beat Tottenham, their (dark) side argues that we only beat them because Kane wasn't there - how bad are Tottenham that they rely on Kane?

If you ask me, it's a silly time to be alive. Personally, I've learnt to be a little more patient after the last few years but some parts of this forum seem to lack that ability. Sounds harsh but, imo, seems true.

We were nothing without Rooney in 09/10 and would have been equally bad without RvP in 12/13. It's no surprise that we're poor without our best player in 17/18.

Yup. Imagine having the cheek to mention we're missing our best player. My god.

 

[haram]

Yup. And when our side (if I can call it that) argues that our performances had gone down hill because we're missing our best player, we get responses such as "its indicative of how poor we are that we rely on one player to construct our attacks" and other silly responses. However, when we beat Tottenham, their (dark) side argues that we only beat them because Kane wasn't there - how bad are Tottenham that they rely on Kane?

If you ask me, it's a silly time to be alive. Personally, I've learnt to be a little more patient after the last few years but some parts of this forum seem to lack that ability. Sounds harsh but, imo, seems true.

We were nothing without Rooney in 09/10 and would have been equally bad without RvP in 12/13. It's no surprise that we're poor without our best player in 17/18.

Good post.

 

[fellaini's barber]

Hey what are the lottery numbers a year from now?

Not sure, but I'm sure when Pogba comes back we'll start playing champagne football, trash City away and win the league

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Yup. And when our side (if I can call it that) argues that our performances had gone down hill because we're missing our best player, we get responses such as "its indicative of how poor we are that we rely on one player to construct our attacks" and other silly responses. However, when we beat Tottenham, their (dark) side argues that we only beat them because Kane wasn't there - how bad are Tottenham that they rely on Kane?

If you ask me, it's a silly time to be alive. Personally, I've learnt to be a little more patient after the last few years but some parts of this forum seem to lack that ability. Sounds harsh but, imo, seems true.

We were nothing without Rooney in 09/10 and would have been equally bad without RvP in 12/13. It's no surprise that we're poor without our best player in 17/18.

And 2016/17. That’s what’s so strange about people downplaying his value to the team. Last season he was just bedding in and his form was a bit up and down but the form of the team fell off a fecking cliff when he got injured. Despite people coming out with daft shit about “blessing in disguise”. And now it’s happened all over again. Quelle surprise.

 

[breakout67]

And 2016/17. That’s what’s so strange about people downplaying his value to the team. Last season he was just bedding in and his form was a bit up and down but the form of the team fell off a fecking cliff when he got injured. Despite people coming out with daft shit about “blessing in disguise”. And now it’s happened all over again. Quelle surprise.

Zlatan injury was the blessing in disguise, Pogba was the elephant in the room . When Pogba was out we were bereft of creativity, and now that people see Lukaku they miss the hold up play of Zlatan.

Having Zlatan and Pogba back is massive.

 

[Ban]

Not sure, but I'm sure when Pogba comes back we'll start playing champagne football, trash City away and win the league

Great!

 

[Donsangre]

Jose needs to change his style. Its break it or perish. We wont be able to win the league with simply parking a bus againts bigger teams. We give the ball away way too much.

 

[Jib]

And 2016/17. That’s what’s so strange about people downplaying his value to the team. Last season he was just bedding in and his form was a bit up and down but the form of the team fell off a fecking cliff when he got injured. Despite people coming out with daft shit about “blessing in disguise”. And now it’s happened all over again. Quelle surprise.

I fully agree

 

[haram]

Jose needs to change his style. Its break it or perish. We wont be able to win the league with simply parking a bus againts bigger teams. We give the ball away way too much.

Did we park the bus against Spurs?

 

[sunama]

We were nothing without Rooney in 09/10 and would have been equally bad without RvP in 12/13. It's no surprise that we're poor without our best player in 17/18.

Agree 100%.

 

[Mike09]

Did we park the bus against Spurs?

Jose doesn't park the bus at "home".

 

[haram]

Jose doesn't park the bus at "home".

We parked the bus against Chelsea? Seemed quite open to me...

 

[NotoriousISSY]

Yup. And when our side (if I can call it that) argues that our performances had gone down hill because we're missing our best player, we get responses such as "its indicative of how poor we are that we rely on one player to construct our attacks" and other silly responses. However, when we beat Tottenham, their (dark) side argues that we only beat them because Kane wasn't there - how bad are Tottenham that they rely on Kane?

If you ask me, it's a silly time to be alive. Personally, I've learnt to be a little more patient after the last few years but some parts of this forum seem to lack that ability. Sounds harsh but, imo, seems true.

We were nothing without Rooney in 09/10 and would have been equally bad without RvP in 12/13. It's no surprise that we're poor without our best player in 17/18.

This is a bit too logical.