Paul Pogba | I missed football so much

dalriada

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I think Ole deserves a lot of credit for the way he's managed the situation. Not only has the revived the atmosphere in the club, I think by nature he looks to get the best out of players first rather than manufacturing conflict like Mourinho, and he's recognised that the team is better with a happy and performing Pogba than it is without him.

Since the restart I think we've been seeing a quieter Pogba who's been less the centre of attention but performs for the team. We're not seeing Pogba as the goal scorer or the penalty taker, and there's none of the showman dance routines as a consequence. Maybe we're seeing a more mature Pogba. A lot has to do with the impact of Bruno Fernandes, the emergence of Mason Greenwood and the continuing improvement of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial - he has his equals in the team now.

He's clearly a player who needs to be surrounded by other good players and the improvement in the team has persuaded him to stay. The worry is that he is a fair-weather player, and his attitude changes when we don't perform so well. If we hadn't had the enforced break, I think he might well have been gone by now. But let's be optimistic, if our present form continues, we are only looking at good times and a happy and successful Pogba.
 

12OunceEpilogue

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I don't blame people if Pogba's flirtation with leaving leaves a sour taste, like it did with Rooney. But I think in both cases they saw the direction of the club going awry and wanted to leave first and foremost for footballing reasons and for their careers. If it turns out Pogba stays then of course covid economics will have played a part but it's also the case he'll be playing in a better team in which he doesn't have to do everything and be caned when it doesn't work out. I for one will be squarely behind him, and I'm happy to read about how happy he is at his recovery and the return of football.
 

ivaldo

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Warms my heart to read that.

This is the Ole effect in full force. Many are suggesting it's a reversal of the atmosphere created by Jose, but it stems from before Jose, as far back as the final years under Fergie. Even back then we were relying on individual brilliance to win us games. Our play was looking flat and the squad he left simply wasn't good enough to compete long term. That was compounded by the appointment of Moyes and LVG, and finally Jose.

It was always going to be a transition period under Ole. Even if he wasn't to be the long term manager for the team, he was making all the right moves. He was promoting our talented youth, stripping back the squad and removing the negative influences, while adding the right players. That has left us a little short this season, but we are now finally seeing the foundations for our next great team. Add another one or two top class talents and we can start to seriously look at hauling ourselves to the top of the hill again.

I think Pogba can now see that too. Fans can hardly be upset with him for wanting out when they had been so damning in their own assessment of the club. He's enjoying his football again; everyone is, and that can only be a good thing.

Previously, it was up to Pogba to be the sole creater at the club. He was expected to score, defend, create and run himself in the ground. He's still expected to do all those things, but now he has other around him to share the burden. And if he does have an off day, the whole club doesn't suffer as a consequence. The simpler side of his game is flourishing now. He's picking the ball up from the middle and bursting forward. He's playing the square pass at the right time, while still playing the occasional Hollywood pass. It's very hard to stop a player as skillful, strong and fast as Pogba. Previously, teams would double up on him. They can't do that now.
 

Volumiza

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Not just Bruno alone, a lot of things have improved since his injury. Every aspect of our team got better
Yeah, absolutely, I was just responding to a specific Lingard reference. We can see it's different just by watching, different universe to the end of last season. Great to see.
 

Adamsk7

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I would absolutely hate being a midfielder having to pick up Pogba and Bruno. Seems like an impossible task. One is strong, tall and powerful and the other so evasive and nimble - both are equally as exceptional on the ball and have an eye for goal.

This is a great interview and it shows that Pogba was never a bad guy like he’s made out to be - he was just sold a vision when he came here and it didn’t happen. Now he can see the clear signs of things coming together, he’s happier. That’s the same for any worker in any workplace the world over! I’ve been so pleased with his mature performances since coming back in to the team and hopefully we’ll hear some positive news about his contract soon. The fact that we haven’t heard from Mino in a while is telling too.
 

Port Vale Devil

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Hopefully a mammoth new contract signed just before a Utd game on a Super Sunday and he turns up with his hair dyed red just to see Souness's mug
 

sp_107

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Paul comes across as he need some one takes responsibility so he can excel without bother and it appears he finally got that at UTD, At Juve he got Prilo and Marchisio
 

sp_107

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What about givbing Paul a good contract with one condition that Raiola should bring Haaland to us in this summer ?
 

amolbhatia50k

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Remember when he was fully fit and just pretending to be injured? :lol:
Yes, it was pure madness.

The only gripe I have with Pogba is his agent and his big fat mouth. Otherwise the rest is just fabrication based on an 'image' people have created of Pogba. He's a good influence on the team and a wonderful footballer. We need to get him to stay.
 

Giggsy13

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I think some here are too quick to forgive Pogba. He has a lot to do to earn my trust and respect back. He’s toyed with the club and fans with some of his statements, and of course Raiola’s big mouth hasn’t helped either. If he delivers on a consistent level, helps us get back to the top then I’m sure all will be forgotten and forgiven.
 

Rozay

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I think some here are too quick to forgive Pogba. He has a lot to do to earn my trust and respect back. He’s toyed with the club and fans with some of his statements, and of course Raiola’s big mouth hasn’t helped either. If he delivers on a consistent level, helps us get back to the top then I’m sure all will be forgotten and forgiven.
Hehe. ‘Forgiven’ you know.

‘He has a long way to earn your respect back’. You should get a blank sheet of paper and write down reasons why Pogba needs your forgiveness and why he’s lost your respect. I doubt the list will amount to much.
 

Berbasbullet

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Hehe. ‘Forgiven’ you know.

‘He has a long way to earn your respect back’. You should get a blank sheet of paper and write down reasons why Pogba needs your forgiveness and why he’s lost your respect. I doubt the list will amount to much.
Errm his agent said bad things...? And errrm he was injured... :lol:
 

RuudTom83

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Pogba to score the winner against Leicester City and finish Top 4.
Signs a new contract on the pitch with Ole.

Good Times
 

Rozay

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Pogba to score the winner against Leicester City and finish Top 4.
Signs a new contract on the pitch with Ole.

Good Times
Nah. He’d be ‘making it all about himself’, ‘centre of attention’ etc.
 

SAFMUTD

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Renewing him should be our priority, even more than signing Sancho.

Pogba is a special player, worldclass.
 

United Hobbit

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Id like to see him stay, I think the reason people tend to get after him more than others is because he can be so good but at times hasn't always looked to show it though he has obviously been hindered by those around him

I've only seen bits from his interview, ill read the full thing later. Some of what he said during the official United podcast they did with him were very refreshing to hear as well

He's been fantastic since the restart, I like others have said would like to see him with a goal so his performances get even more recognition

I think Bruno hasn't just improved us on the field he's also made us a closer team, he seems to be developing a close friendship with Martial which has made him seem happier too.
 

Gandalf Greyhame

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This is probably one of the most positive interviews he's given since joining.

If he enjoys it here, and actually starts doing what he does on a regular basis again, I'd love for him to stay. Pog-sign the contract the day we officially qualify for CL.
 

Giggsy13

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Hehe. ‘Forgiven’ you know.

‘He has a long way to earn your respect back’. You should get a blank sheet of paper and write down reasons why Pogba needs your forgiveness and why he’s lost your respect. I doubt the list will amount to much.
Its okay, you still completely ignored the point in that he’s not returned the respect that the club has given him. He’s only considering an extension cause his options are lacking and he’s probably a bit more humble now that it was proven before the break we didn’t need him, Bruno was lighting it up. Your little childish reply doesn’t change that.
 

Rozay

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Its okay, you still completely ignored the point in that he’s not returned the respect that the club has given him. He’s only considering an extension cause his options are lacking and he’s probably a bit more humble now that it was proven before the break we didn’t need him, Bruno was lighting it up. Your little childish reply doesn’t change that.
You seem quite privy to the motivations of the player. And I think he’s shown since he’s returned that we DO need him. Unless you’d prefer McTominay in midfield instead.
 

Rolaholic

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You seem quite privy to the motivations of the player. And I think he’s shown since he’s returned that we DO need him. Unless you’d prefer McTominay in midfield instead.
Don't you know? The caf is home to the internets largest collection of mind and body readers this side of reddit.

Our team of in house psychics can give you a much more accurate psychological profile/evaluation of someone than any old silly nanny with a doctorate or silly contemporaries/friends/teammates ever could
 

RedDevil@84

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Look at him upping himself, so that his agent can get his next fat paylol
 

IrishMcD

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Thought he was class tonight, but worryingly he seemed to hurt his knee at the very end of the game, was limping coming off and calling the physio over
 

macheda14

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He wasn’t going to answer definitively about wanting to stay during possible contract talks
 

PoTMS

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Refuses to be drawn about staying at the club.
 

VivaJesperBlomqvist

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My heart sank when Pogba didn’t address whether he was staying or going tbh. We need a full season with that Bruno and Pogba partnership. Be such a shame to break that up. I don’t get why he would want to go? Who is he going to link up with as well as this? We are building something special here.