[breakout67]

Khedira played in a 2 and got forward plenty, Fabregas played in a 2 under Mourinho and he isn't exactly a defensive powerhouse.

To be honest, I don't really see a problem with playing him in a 2 against smaller teams and 3 against bigger teams to give him some help.

If we can get a no.10 like Isco, that is a very good midfielder in his own right, then I think Pogba can play in a two with him as well.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Well in the studio after, Giggs said it shouldn’t make a difference. Even in a 2 he should be getting forward.

Back when teams played 4-4-2 a 3rd man run from midfield was expected, now it's not so common.

Souness already slagged Pogba off before for doing this, he said he should keep doing what a midfielder does and stay in his position

This time he's criticising him because he doesn't get forward enough, bloody crazy that lot.

 

[Maccataq]

Well in the studio after, Giggs said it shouldn’t make a difference. Even in a 2 he should be getting forward.

Depends on the instructions to be fair. And in a 2 there is more responsibility to track back than in a 3 regardless, he's so much better when he is set free and allowed to play his game. When he plays in a 2 against so called lesser sides he is more the creator than the one getting on the end of things. When he was scoring goals at the beginning of the season, he often scored them late on when we brought Fellaini on and switching to 433

 

[dbs235]

fecking horrendous first half, lost his head, strolled around, lost the ball in dangerous positions trying to be cocky. Wanted him sold I was that pissed off with him.

Two goals second half and got wound up and gave it to the City players to show he does actually care.

Still think he should've been sent off for his hack because I hate those fouls but I'll take his second half performance every week please.

It seemed to take that to get him to perform. There was a very noticeable change in his attitude and performance, something that was said at half time? He was suddenly determined to take some responsibility and get us back into the game.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Say what?

I actually dont think he was bad in the first half as most are making out.

Actually, he was the only one who actually tried to get on the ball, and when he did, had the ability to keep the ball under City's press.

That said, the second half performance is what I want to see from Pogba.

I want him to become a Lampard type of player, which based on today's second half performance, he can.

I do think; however, that maybe Pogba feels he has to drop so far back because we don't have anyone with his passing ability.

This is why I keep changing my mind, in regards to who I feel would compliment him.

If we had a player like Modric, Verratti, Kroos, etc, Pogba could focus on breaking forward, as it he would trust that attacks woudn't break down.

We saw the same at Juventus. He had Pirlo to dictate the pace, which allowed him to get forward and play in between the lines.

I think the way Pogba goes depends on himself. At the moment, he probably feels like he can do every role in midfield. He has previously spoke about being all the great midfielders wrapped into one, but all of those midfielders had a midfield trait, whether it be goalscorer (Lampard), playmaker (Scholes), enforcer (Keane), etc.

Don't get me wrong, a box to box midfielder should be able to do all of the above, but I feel he needs to master one of them first.

Out of the above, like I said, I want to see him making runs in behind and scoring more goals because he has the ability to.

 

[Hojoon]

With Sanchez he'll probably be making more runs into the box.

 

[Reiver]

When things aren't going well the pressure and magnifying glass are always on Pogba, probably more than anyone else in the team. First half today, he probably wasn't any worse than any other player, it's just that there is so much expectation and hope that he can produce something.
That being said, he seemed to come out with a renewed focus second half and, when the first goal went in, a new belief. First half, he lost the ball and jogged back, second half he legged it back as if his life depended on it. He doesn't always seem to show that commitment. I don't think he's been poor for United, but I feel today could be a real watershed moment in his Utd. career.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Don't listen to the talk.

 

[Random Task]

With Sanchez he'll probably be making more runs into the box.

Jose has to "unshackle" him more often for that to happen.

Let's hope that after witnessing that second half performance from the lads, Jose does just that.

 

[BusbyMalone]

This is what is so frustrating about the lad. He has it all in his locker but is so bloody inconsistent. If he could get that sorted he'd be amazing for us.

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[NotoriousISSY]

Let your football do the talking.

That was a big performance from him, and he just raised the bar and expectation even more. He’s capable of being the best in position without a doubt.

 

[Brightonian]

This is what is so frustrating about the lad. He has it all in his locker but is so bloody inconsistent. If he could get that sorted he'd be amazing for us.

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And he's also bang on that, as is always the case, big players dictate the team's form no matter whether you want them to or not. It's hard to play around your star player's bad day at the office.

He needs to ask himself if he wants to be the best midfielder in the world or not. He's got the ingredients, but he needs to put his head down and bake the fecking cake.

 

[Kazi]

Favourite part of the match was after his second goal when he smashed the ball into the air. Pure anger being released.

 

[BusbyMalone]

And he's also bang on that, as is always the case, big players dictate the team's form no matter whether you want them to or not. It's hard to play around your star player's bad day at the office.

He needs to ask himself if he wants to be the best midfielder in the world or not. He's got the ingredients, but he needs to put his head down and bake the fecking cake.

Yeah, we seen that in the second half with both Pogba and Sanchez. It's consistency that has killed us this season. We have the quality for the most part.

 

[Cassidy]

This is what is so frustrating about the lad. He has it all in his locker but is so bloody inconsistent. If he could get that sorted he'd be amazing for us.

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Not sure why thats what you take from that, to me that speaks to the sides reliance on him, which is our achilles heel. The difference between us and City right now is KDB can have an off day but Silva/Aguero or someone else can win them the game and vice versa.

Adding Sanchez will hopefully help, but we need another confident ball player in the midfield with Pogba.

EDIT: Yes he does need to add more consistency though, but for the most part this season he has been great, barring a 2 month spell of being off colour.

 

[Rado_N]

Any decent video of the interview with Henry?

 

[BusbyMalone]

Not sure why thats what you take from that, to me that speaks to the sides reliance on him, which is our achilles heel. The difference between us and City right now is KDB can have an off day but Silva/Aguero or someone else can win them the game and vice versa.

Adding Sanchez will hopefully help, but we need another confident ball player in the midfield with Pogba.

EDIT: Yes he does need to add more consistency though, but for the most part this season he has been great, barring a 2 month spell of being off colour.

Well i thought it would be quite obvious why i said what i said after reading that tweet. The tweet basically highlights the inconsistency of the guy. Awful first half, amazing second half. He has it in his locker and when he displays it he's incredible. That's exactly what the tweet highlights.

 

[VeevaVee]

He's so much better when he has fluidity to his play. When he's pretty static he gets stuck, usually between decisions.
He was making a couple of runs even towards the end that I wished we'd gone for tbh.

Fair play with how he showed up. When he lost the ball early on doing stepovers near our own box I thought it was going to be a case of him trying too hard to impress.

 

[Alvaro Maestre]

I'm glad this thread was closed during the game, I confess I was coming here at half time to insult him. I'm glad I was bad. Cheers to that.

 

[Witchking]

Henry is a United fan for sure He hopes that Pogba became a "United Player" today.

 

[Hojoon]

Henry is a United fan for sure He hopes that Pogba became a "United Player" today.

Reminds me of the perfect fan thread that was created a while back. People regularly talking up and praising opposition players to win more credibility and not look biased.

 

[RedStarUnited]

fecking horrendous first half, lost his head, strolled around, lost the ball in dangerous positions trying to be cocky. Wanted him sold I was that pissed off with him.

Two goals second half and got wound up and gave it to the City players to show he does actually care.

Still think he should've been sent off for his hack because I hate those fouls but I'll take his second half performance every week please.

You soft soul, sent of for that foul to stop a counter? City wouldnt finish with 11 in any match if that was the case.

 

[Acole9]

All the pundits have questioned him not being able to grab the game by the scruff of the neck, today he did more than that in the second half. He bossed it on his own at times, that is what we all want to see from him on a regular basis. He showed real leadership out there and his mentality in that second half was tremendous.

 

[automaticflare]

Say what?

I actually dont think he was bad in the first half as most are making out.

Actually, he was the only one who actually tried to get on the ball, and when he did, had the ability to keep the ball under City's press.

That said, the second half performance is what I want to see from Pogba.

I want him to become a Lampard type of player, which based on today's second half performance, he can.

I do think; however, that maybe Pogba feels he has to drop so far back because we don't have anyone with his passing ability.

This is why I keep changing my mind, in regards to who I feel would compliment him.

If we had a player like Modric, Verratti, Kroos, etc, Pogba could focus on breaking forward, as it he would trust that attacks woudn't break down.

We saw the same at Juventus. He had Pirlo to dictate the pace, which allowed him to get forward and play in between the lines.

I think the way Pogba goes depends on himself. At the moment, he probably feels like he can do every role in midfield. He has previously spoke about being all the great midfielders wrapped into one, but all of those midfielders had a midfield trait, whether it be goalscorer (Lampard), playmaker (Scholes), enforcer (Keane), etc.

Don't get me wrong, a box to box midfielder should be able to do all of the above, but I feel he needs to master one of them first.

Out of the above, like I said, I want to see him making runs in behind and scoring more goals because he has the ability to.

This all day long

Matic was not looking for the ball today imo and even when he did our defense would not pass it inside. This is where we need the biggest improvement in defence passing it out to our midfielders. At times pogba goes so deep he is literally taking the ball from our defenders toes. It is killing his game IMo
I think herrera done it for him a lot in second half and freed him up.

Improve our defenses confidence to pass the ball into midfield and pogba doesn’t have to drop so deep which improves everything

 

[automaticflare]

All the pundits have questioned him not being able to grab the game by the scruff of the neck, today he did more than that in the second half. He bossed it on his own at times, that is what we all want to see from him on a regular basis. He showed real leadership out there and his mentality in that second half was tremendous.

Needs consistency tho

 

[SaboTaj]

Don't listen to the talk.

A red devil for life perhaps.

 

[Rasfene]

You did it

Or rather, King Pogba did it. This man is capable of doing anything if he puts his heart out into it. King pogba have destroyed KDB and Co.

 

[VanGaalEra]

All hail the king! feck the haters!

 

[Cassidy]

Well i thought it would be quite obvious why i said what i said after reading that tweet. The tweet basically highlights the inconsistency of the guy. Awful first half, amazing second half. He has it in his locker and when he displays it he's incredible. That's exactly what the tweet highlights.

The tweet highlights Uniteds over reliance on a single player

 

[BusbyMalone]

The tweet highlights Uniteds over reliance on a single player

...and the inconsistency of that player. Whatever, we won and he was great in the second half.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

This all day long

Matic was not looking for the ball today imo and even when he did our defense would not pass it inside. This is where we need the biggest improvement in defence passing it out to our midfielders. At times pogba goes so deep he is literally taking the ball from our defenders toes. It is killing his game IMo
I think herrera done it for him a lot in second half and freed him up.

Improve our defenses confidence to pass the ball into midfield and pogba doesn’t have to drop so deep which improves everything

Agree. Mourinho did talk about him being not being happy with the contribution of the centre backs after the City game, and it is something he has spoken about before.

I think, despite us having a few centre backs, Jose will be after a centre back in the summer.

I think, if we can get a ball playing defender, then as you said, we improve.

Lindelof was meant to be that player, but he seems to struggle defensively.

Quite a few rumours going round about Alderwiereld. Would be a very good signing, in my opinion.

 

[crossy1686]

I think we saw Pogba come of age today. As one of the City fans said on Bluemoon, Pogba had his coming out party today and the whole Eitihad was invited to witness it.

Pogba was one of the only players (Sanchez also) who shown any kind of character to grab that game by the balls and force it to bend to his will. That's what we've been missing this season and that's what we need more of. You saw the way the other players fed of him and grew in confidence. If he continues to do that for the remaining games we have this season and brings us home the FA cup then I think we've found our new captain for next season.

 

[matherto]

You soft soul, sent of for that foul to stop a counter? City wouldnt finish with 11 in any match if that was the case.

Which is right, start sending them off for that type of foul and they might stop doing it.

It’s a hack to stop momentum on the break, I hate seeing it and it should always be a red card because it’s never anything less than a deliberate, cynical foul.

If that means we end up 7 on 7 then so be it.

 

[crossy1686]

Which is right, start sending them off for that type of foul and they might stop doing it.

It’s a hack to stop momentum on the break, I hate seeing it and it should always be a red card because it’s never anything less than a deliberate, cynical foul.

If that means we end up 7 on 7 then so be it.

Think you'll see worse in a derby not even carded most of the time. It's a cynical foul but there's not an intent to injure the player, just intent to stop the break. A red would be incredibly harsh.

 

[matherto]

Think you'll see worse in a derby not even carded most of the time. It's a cynical foul but there's not an intent to injure the player, just intent to stop the break. A red would be incredibly harsh.

It’s not a tackle though. Professional fouls were red cards back when they had a button for it on old FIFA games.

It’s one if those things that’s just blindly accepted in modern football, like touching a goalkeeper even accidentally is a foul against you and the old pros and commentators go on about them being ‘clever fouls’ and ‘taken one for the team’ there and it’s so wrong.

It’s a deliberate hack/trip/pull back with no purpose other than to foul and disrupt. It should be a red until it’s officiated out if the game. I genuinely hate seeing it every match.

EDIT - Plus the fact a minute prior Pogba had lost his head charging at City players after they’d kicked the shit out of Lingard. Whilst we appreciate the passion I’ve no doubt he just wanted to kick the City player when he did it, which really should mean a red card. Though I guess referees shouldn’t jump to conclusions about a player’s mental state when they foul.

 

[Harry190]

He waves his hands a lot. But there was a point in the game where he look possessed. Need more of that.

 

[VancouverUtdFan]

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[Steven7290]

It’s not a tackle though. Professional fouls were red cards back when they had a button for it on old FIFA games.

It’s one if those things that’s just blindly accepted in modern football, like touching a goalkeeper even accidentally is a foul against you and the old pros and commentators go on about them being ‘clever fouls’ and ‘taken one for the team’ there and it’s so wrong.

It’s a deliberate hack/trip/pull back with no purpose other than to foul and disrupt. It should be a red until it’s officiated out if the game. I genuinely hate seeing it every match.

EDIT - Plus the fact a minute prior Pogba had lost his head charging at City players after they’d kicked the shit out of Lingard. Whilst we appreciate the passion I’ve no doubt he just wanted to kick the City player when he did it, which really should mean a red card. Though I guess referees shouldn’t jump to conclusions about a player’s mental state when they foul.

What?

How many red cards did you want to see given in this match?

 

[shabadu84]

Been on a good run from the internationals on. Not his most dominating performance of course but so important for him to have that 2nd half. Hope he has a great WC and comes back ready to lay a marker down next year. Easy to forget he just turned 25 and is only getting going.

 

[matherto]

What?

How many red cards did you want to see given in this match?

Look, I'm well aware that referees show leniency, especially in derby games and nobody actually wants anyone to be sent off.

I just have a major problem with anyone, our player or otherwise hacking down an opponent cynically to stop a counter. It's laughed off, especially by ex-pros on commentary/in the studio as clever play but it's pure shithousery and it needs to start being punished so players stop doing it.

Remember when Ole chased after the Newcastle player and hacked him down?


Quite rightly it was a red card and yeah he was through on goal and Ole was last man so you can argue that's why he got a red instead but it's literally a kick instead of a tackle and it happens so often.

We as fans absolutely loved it but SAF was apoplectic after it because it's such a shit thing to do.

And Pogba was on one after the Lingard tackle so you can see as he's chasing the City player he just kicks him. It should have been a red card in the same way the Solskjaer one was.