Is Paul Pogba being bullied and harassed on TV

[Sara125]

When the criticism transcends past what he does/doesn’t do on the pitch and does/doesn’t do for the club in its entirety, into his personal life it definitely becomes bullying.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying players have never had their personal lives picked apart and criticised, but usually when it happens it’s cos the player has actually done something morally or legally wrong e.g. players drink driving, Rooney’s adultery, Giggs’ scandal etc. whereas with Pogba it’s usually stuff like him dancing on Instagram or changing his hair...like, why is that such an issue? Not just by pundits but by united fans on social media and even on this very caf as well.

Also, I will go as far as saying it somewhat has racial undertones to it, especially the hair criticisms, and I think it’s starting to become more evident now.

 

[He'sRaldo]

he doesn't have defensive duties, that's why we played 2 defensive midfielders with him, to cover that aspect of his game.

Bar Ole's short interim winning spell, he always played as a DM in a 2, with an AM in front of him. Even this season, the plan was to move him back to a midfield 2 in the 4-2-3-1.

But then, all that's irrelevant to the very personal nature of the criticism he's endured.

 

[RedTiger]

he doesn't have defensive duties, that's why we played 2 defensive midfielders with him, to cover that aspect of his game. Problem here is when Pogba got shut down or drifted out of games as he often does, we have no central mids to pick up the slack as they aren't there for their creative ability. Penalties are not a negative, in fact he would have had more goals last season had he not missed some. You were trying to make out like he's some sort of free scoring midfielder, when effectively we play him as far up as we can get him and more than half his league goals were penalties. A goal is a goal nothing wrong with that, just giving some perspective to your post

How many times since joses last game has Pogba played with 2 DMs behind him? Honest question.

 

[crossy1686]

Is Paul Pogba unfairly blamed? Maybe? Who knows?

All I do know is that the people involved in football talk to each other. They're all mates or former team mates, Carragher will know what goes on at United to some degree because he spends so much time with Neville and he's mates with Carrick/Solskjaer/Rio whoever else might know what really happens behind the scenes.

You're only as good as your reputation in football. It's one of those fields where if you're a bit of a dick, people will find out about it.

I'm not saying Pogba deserves any of the shit he gets from the media but far too many people have an opinion that Pobga is a bit of a dick behind the scenes and people would not mention it with such conviction if they didn't have good authority to do so. At the end of the day, it's a man's career we're talking about, saying these things about him isn't something people would be doing lightly.

 

[poleglass red]

Bar Ole's short interim spell, he always played as a DM in a 2, with an AM in front of him. Even this season, the plan was to move him back to a midfield 2 in the 4-2-3-1.

Not so sure about that. I seem to recall his best form for us when he first came was when Carrick played as the dm with him for a spell. He didn't play that role either for Juve. He plays a different role for France, maybe that's what you are getting at

 

[pastyfool]

Which boomers are you on about? Or you just being ageist and vilifying our seniors?

Didn't you get the memo?!?
Calling someone a 'boomer' is the new kool thing to do.
Don't be L7 daddy-o.

 

[Cassidy]

Is Paul Pogba unfairly blamed? Maybe? Who knows?

All I do know is that the people involved in football talk to each other. They're all mates or former team mates, Carragher will know what goes on at United to some degree because he spends so much time with Neville and he's mates with Carrick/Solskjaer/Rio whoever else might know what really happens behind the scenes.

You're only as good as your reputation in football. It's one of those fields where if you're a bit of a dick, people will find out about it.

I'm not saying Pogba deserves any of the shit he gets from the media but far too many people have an opinion that Pobga is a bit of a dick behind the scenes and people would not mention it with such conviction if they didn't have good authority to do so. At the end of the day, it's a man's career we're talking about, saying these things about him isn't something people would be doing lightly.

Yet they all claim not to know who is responsible for the recruitment issues, yeah sure.

Rio hardly criticises Pogba by the way

 

[Righteous Steps]

Yes but far far far less than lingard on social media

Yep if you’re talking about bullying, then it’s the type Lingard gets that’s real bullying and psychologically harming, he gets it from all boards, Pogba doesn’t.

 

[Jacckk1985]

Which boomers are you on about? Or you just being ageist and vilifying our seniors?

It's mainly the older generation of pundits and football persons who have so far somehow find a way to blame Paul. I don't really see his generation finding the same issues or?

 

[SplitzMagic]

Why can't we just have low maintenance world class players like De Bruyne at city? We always seem to end up with player issues... Then to top it off we're also linked with a loan for Tevez... Why? What is going on? All of your players will be crucified at this rate.

 

[redcafe_reader]

Yep if you’re talking about bullying, then it’s the type Lingard gets that’s real bullying and psychologically harming, he gets it from all boards, Pogba doesn’t.

Yeah so angry message from no-name twitter is "psychologically harming" while being attacked about his personality (without evidence) by club legend in TV is not, got it!

 

[OL29]

Yep if you’re talking about bullying, then it’s the type Lingard gets that’s real bullying and psychologically harming, he gets it from all boards, Pogba doesn’t.

Pogba gets abused by pundits, in the media, in the stadium and racial abuse on social media, in what way is it not psychologically harmful?

 

[poleglass red]

How many times since joses last game has Pogba played with 2 DMs behind him? Honest question.

Chelsea 1-1 at Old Trafford last april. I know that because that was the last game I was at. I appreciate Ole is looking to move the team to a more progressive team and given time and players he will do that. Ideally I'd like to see Pogba part of that rebuild, but you can't doubt for the majority of his time here the team has been set up to compensate for his lack of defensive cover

 

[Red_toad]

It's mainly the older generation of pundits and football persons who have so far somehow find a way to blame Paul. I don't really see his generation finding the same issues or?

Obviously ex players/pundits would be older than him? Scholes is hardly a boomer.

 

[Ban]

Some of the latest comments are downright ridiculous and horrible. He's a trouble maker and has a bad influence on young players based on what.


On the other hand when will Raiola and his brothers stop blabbing around.

And before someone jumps on my head that doesn't mean he should get the treatment he's getting.

 

[Cassidy]

Chelsea 1-1 at Old Trafford last april. I know that because that was the last game I was at. I appreciate Ole is looking to move the team to a more progressive team and given time and players he will do that. Ideally I'd like to see Pogba part of that rebuild, but you can't doubt for the majority of his time here the team has been set up to compensate for his lack of defensive cover

You mean because his supposed defensive partner Matic couldn't do his job?

 

[Scaring Europe to Death]

The thing is, he actually does. 13 goals and 9 assists last PL season (37 appearances), 6 goals and 10 assists the year before (27 appearances).

That’s 19 goals and 19 assists in 62 appearances. A goal or an assist every 1.63~ games.

Kevin De Bruyne aside, how many central midfielders in the league [in Europe?] average higher than those sorts of numbers? It’s beyond mental the criticism he receives.

Fair enough. (although it was more of an impression as I don't watch United that much)
Like I said, it never really occurred to me that he was being bullied until last Sunday.

 

[Cypherage]

Its a mixture of everything really, new age vs old age, Pogba & Tubs , have not exactly glittered them self with any favors especially when its already come out of Pogba's mouth that he wanted a new challenge, add on top of it the fact that, Tubs talks smack about United to try and push the agenda.

However there is no reason to comment on Pogba at this time as he is out Injured that is as much as I can defend Pogba as a player.

 

[Macca7]

Bullied and harassed? Get a grip. He's been criticised, rightly so.

 

[pastyfool]

The pundits/press are earning their money. And so many people keep taking the bait.

When the seagulls...

 

[poleglass red]

You mean because his supposed defensive partner Matic couldn't do his job?

funny thing was Herrera played to cover for Matic's inability to track runners from mid, so effectively we had a 3 man mid that day with Pogba as the attacking mid, Matic to cover Pogba and Herrera to cover Matic.

 

[Cassidy]

funny thing was Herrera played to cover for Matic's inability to track runners from mid, so effectively we had a 3 man mid that day with Pogba as the attacking mid, Matic to cover Pogba and Herrera to cover Matic.

Having a defensive mid to cover an attacking one is normal. Having another player to cover a defensive one is not. Its clear who the problem was
How much stick did he get in the media? Even when he called out his current manager in the press? but of course Pogba is the problem.

 

[sammsky1]

I'm a bit pissed at John Barnes reply to the tweet. If any player knows about being scapegoated and undervalued it would be him.

If any player knows about racist abuse in football through personal experience and deep introspection, it’s John Barnes. And he’s telling you that threads like this are based on bullshit!

So now you’re also pissed off that John Barnes POV doesn’t enforce your own propogated POV?! Maybe you should take Barnes POV more seriously!

In Pogba’s case. The Criticism has very little to do with his race or religion. Pogba has zero loyalty to fans and the club and contributored very little during his time at the club.

Guess what: the reaction towards him will be the same! That’s how the law of attraction work!

 

[devilish]

I actually met Pogba once and interviewed him. He was a player in the academy back then and he struck me as a guy who only cares playing football and enjoy himself doing. That was, in my opinion, the reason why he left United and why, despite being praised by most his managers, he always seem to struggle to play in a deeper role. Both Allegri and Conte loved the man but they had to fit their system to accommodate him. That must irk the likes of Scholes and Giggs who transformed their game play time and time again to fit our system. Pogba doesn't do that.

But I think there's more to it. Yesterday I watched a youtube video of someone who claim to have connections at the club. I usually ignore those who say so, but not this guy. The reason being that I do know people who have good connections with the club and this guy seems to fit that sort of people. First of all they are all pro Ole. The reason being that most of these people's connections come from Sir Alex camp and Ole had worked a great deal to strengthen these people. The stronger Ole is, the stronger their connections become which for people who love going to Carrington and be treated like VIPs is crucial. Secondly they rarely say anything wrong about our former players. They know that poisoning such well might lead with them losing their connections. Finally they are all about club traditions, giving jobs to the boys etc. This guy fits that type of person. Anyway this guy thinks that Woodward and Sir Alex don't usually see eye to eye, that Sir Alex had reprimanded Woodward on how things had been run and that Woodward brought Pogba as living testament that even the great legend himself can commit mistakes which can cost the club loads of £££££. I didn't bothered too much about it up until someone brought this 'there may be things that former players know and you don't know'. It might explain the irrational hate former legends have towards Pogba and it also explains why Evra said that Pogba needs to leave United so that he won't be blamed for every ill.

 

[Hughie77]

It's not his fault, the club is a mess, it's not his fault were hopeless at present, he's getting bad press always has, the boys a terrific footballer, and he's missed at our club, there are a few who do like to bash UTD now, because we're a easy target for the ABUs, that plainly apparent.
We were so successful for years , it's now there time to stick there knife in, and Pogba is getting some of it fairly and unfairly.
If I'm honest I just want him to come out and say I want out, or stay, his Agent is also a big big issue he has way to much influence in his career .. I don't take much notice of what the mainly ex pool players etc say they have now just got there chance to have a dig, it's taken 30 years , take it with a pinch of salt even if it grinds you to give one of them a almighty slap.

 

[pocco]

I'm in the group that thinks he should leave for both parties' sake. I don't doubt the guys talent but he's not the right player or character that we need right now. You can argue for him all you want but Pogba could easily squash all the nonsense if he just said something himself.

Instead he's talked about leaving in an interview and has been quite disrespectful with his social media activity. On top of that his agent and brother talk shit about United non stop. I think Pogba knows what he's doing, he's not daft. For that reason I have no sympathy for the guy. It's not his fault everybody talks about him, but the fact they do makes him a problem.

 

[RedTiger]

If any player knows about racist abuse in football through personal experience and deep introspection, it’s John Barnes. And he’s telling you that threads like this are based on bullshit!

So now you’re also pissed off that John Barnes POV doesn’t enforce your own propogated POV?! Maybe you should take Barnes POV more seriously!

In Pogba’s case. The Criticism has very little to do with his race or religion. Pogba has zero loyalty to fans and the club and contributored very little during his time at the club.

Guess what: the reaction towards him will be the same! That’s how the law of attraction work!

So you think McAteer was reasonable and on point to criticise Pogba for yesterday's loss? I'm not talking about the race angle and I respect Barne's viewpoint on race as I grew up with hin and saw the shit he used to get, but by dismissing the criticism of McAteer by saying that it's not about race he's just basically said that the criticism is valid.

 

[noodlehair]

He gets a lot of stick in the media and from certain pundits, but calling it bullying is a bit much and to be honest just sounds like something a baby would say.

Firstly, he isn't innocent. Last season under Mourinho he was deliberately disruptive. Going into the press area after a game deliberately to stir shite, snidey comments or posts implying things on his social media. Most clubs with any self respect would have turfed him out, regardless of how important he may or may not be. It happened multiple times. Lingard got a "last warning" for doing ONE thing that was nowhere near as bad.

The season before, he had to be subbed off after arguing on live television with his manager because he was refusing to play in the position he was meant to be playing in. These kind of incidents are what gave birth to a lot of the criticism he received at the time and since.

I don't think he's been a problem under Ole apart from that a lot of his performances have remained very poor for a player of his ability...but again, this DOES raise genuine questions about his attitude. If the most talented player in the team is rarely the best player in the team and more often one of the worst, then there is obviously some kind of problem with the mental side of their game. Either that or they just aren't fit enough...which would actually also indicate a problem with their mentality.

I don't dislike Pogba at all and we've definitely missed him. I also think he genuinely wants to do well and wants the team to do well, and just has a problem with focus sometimes, but he's the highest profile player here, so if the performances don't match up then the criticism will always come. I would blame the club for putting him in that position more than him at this point, but criticism is something that happens when you don't meet the expectations put upon you.

The only one who's consistently crossed the line is Souness, and in fairness, the last couple of times he's done that his fellow pundits on Sky have been openly calling him out and literally taking the piss out of him about it.

 

[Handré1990]

People seem to forget the fact that this injury was caused by him demanding to play in a cup game against lower league opposition...doesnt seem like the actions of someone who is egotistical and self centered.

We miss him a lot.

He does get treated unfairly, but how does this work when his agent came out just a few days ago and blamed the club for rushing him back? I mean, it’s one or the other.

 

[OverratedOpinion]

Nearly everything I have heard from anyone who has ever worked with Pogba, be it managers or teammates indicates that he is a good professional and a good personality to have around the club. I fully understand Utd fans being frustrated with him agitating for a move but I also understand that he might feel he is wasting the prime of his career which is only compounded by the toxic atmosphere around the place. Listening to Keane or Souness talk about him is a waste of time, he could score 6 goals against Man City and Souness would complain that he didn't defend enough.

Funnily he will go to Real Madrid or somewhere and play at a similar level but win things because he has better players around him and all this pundits will sing his praises and probably talk about what a leader he has magically transformed into.

 

[Inter Yer Nan]

There's been an agenda against Pogba from the moment he returned. It was relentless almost from day one. Too much focus on his haircuts, his fashion and was always the scapegoat. A lot of that is clickbait, sure, a lot of it is people just being sheep. Over time though I do believe Pogba has given less and less of a shit and is completely over it. I must admit, as someone who defended him and rates his talent highly it is a bit frustrating seeing him basically on what looks like an extended worldwide vacation.

 

[Focusmate]

Which is more likely.
That there are some issues with Pogba and his attitude and influence at United.
or that a wide cross section of pundits and ex pros some of whom are ex United players who would have some connections in the club are all randomly deciding to pick on Pogba for absolutely no reason at all.
I suspect stuff will come out after he finally gets his move

 

[90 + 5min]

While I think it is unfair to criticizing him when he is not playing we can't really complain that he gets some stick from pundits and fans for his behaviour in and towards the club.

 

[Jazz]

Yes he has been since the moment he came back.

The English media is 100% trash. Upsetting to see some of our former players aiding and abetting these people.

Criticise him when he's playing like shit, or even call out his agent who acts a fool - but the coverage on him has always been very personal; agenda driven and xenophobic as hell. No matter how you feel about him, most of the coverage is disgusting.

I think he probably wants to leave even more, just to get away from the toxic coverage.

 

[Jazz]

Which is more likely.
That there are some issues with Pogba and his attitude and influence at United.
or that a wide cross section of pundits and ex pros some of whom are ex United players who would have some connections in the club are all randomly deciding to pick on Pogba for absolutely no reason at all.
I suspect stuff will come out after he finally gets his move

Don't you think the press would have given specifics if indeed he was an ass behind the scenes? I find it weird we never actually get examples, or even hints at what it is he's supposedly doing that's so bad.

I suspect it's hm wanting to leave and having a trash agent is what causes the upset. However, even before we knew he wanted to go, the coverage of him has been vitriolic.

 

[EdWeatherall]

And when some people respond in a critical way (which is their right), often because the reality is different from what was presented, it’s claimed as bullying!

That kind of behaviour is the worst. The very worst

 

[poleglass red]

Yes he has been since the moment he came back.

The English media is 100% trash. Upsetting to see some of our former players aiding and abetting these people.

Criticise him when he's playing like shit, or even call out his agent who acts a fool - but the coverage on him has always been very personal; agenda driven and xenophobic as hell. No matter how you feel about him, most of the coverage is disgusting.

I think he probably wants to leave even more, just to get away from the toxic coverage.

A case of out of the frying pan into the fire if he goes to Real. They will destroy him in the press and on the terraces if he doesn't perform in Spain. Our fan base has been for the most part good to him, Real fans will be a lot more ruthless. He needs to be careful what he wishes for.

 

[fps]

Yet they all claim not to know who is responsible for the recruitment issues, yeah sure.

Rio hardly criticises Pogba by the way

He is one of those big players a top manager of a top team would manage. But if the team’s shoddy a show pony like Pogba isn’t going to be busting a gut. And he hasn’t.

 

[Jazz]

A case of out of the frying pan into the fire if he goes to Real. They will destroy him in the press and on the terraces if he doesn't perform in Spain. Our fan base has been for the most part good to him, Real fans will be a lot more ruthless. He needs to be careful what he wishes for.

I'd rather put up with RM fans than the British press. I do not envy anyone in the public eye in this country.

 

[Coops73]

Pogbas being bullied and harassed on tv?....and?