[Majima]

Seriously? Don't think anybody in a Red shirt had a great game last night.

Martial did. 1 goal & 1 assist. Constant threat & great centre forward play. Almost sealed the win for us at the end with a superb solo run after winning back possession in his own half. That would have been goal of the season if it went in. His performance not good enough for you?

 

[Class of 63]

I wouldn't go that far, no, I just find the criticism for those two specifically consistently over the top.

It might seem like that at times but I don't think any player gets a free-pass on the forum. They're all shit apparently.

 

[Freak]

Our players need to think better in game. Matic kept dropping deep as a third CB to pick the ball up. As such Pogba was literally surrounded by 6 of their pressing players. Yet we constantly try to play it to him. Matic should be playing it Long outside to Rashford or Greenwood to bypass their press. Bruno as well should be dropping out wide to create an overload so that Matic can ping it out wide .

 

[Class of 63]

Martial did. 1 goal & 1 assist. Constant threat & great centre forward play. Almost sealed the win for us at the end with a superb solo run after winning back possession in his own half. That would have been goal of the season if it went in. His performance not good enough for you?

Martial was our best player in the last two games, and by quite some distance.

 

[Mindhunter]

Our players need to think better in game. Matic kept dropping deep as a third CB to pick the ball up. As such Pogba was literally surrounded by 6 of their pressing players. Yet we constantly try to play it to him. Matic should be playing it Long outside to Rashford or Greenwood to bypass their press. Bruno as well should be dropping out wide to create an overload so that Matic can ping it out wide .

Yes, that's exactly what happened. They flooded the midfield and pressed well and Pogba got hounded. I seriously think we should have started the second half with 3 midfielders instead of 2 and taken off either Fernandes or Greenwood. We need to control the midfield, specially at home.

 

[Freak]

Yes, that's exactly what happened. They flooded the midfield and pressed well and Pogba got hounded. I seriously think we should have started the second half with 3 midfielders instead of 2 and taken off either Fernandes or Greenwood. We need to control the midfield, specially at home.

I feel we should have brought on Ighalo and just play it long. Southampton are one of the best pressing sides in the league so there’s no point bringing in another midfielder to try and control things when they have 6 players pressing our midfield and defence.

We were leading, bring Ighalo on, play it Long to bypass their press and if we win the second balls then take it from there and Attack them.

 

[Majima]

Martial was our best player in the last two games, and by quite some distance.

His improvement this season has been great to see hasn't it? Ole deserves a lot of credit for making him his 9 & bringing out the best in him. I haven't seen him so happy in years.

 

[He'sRaldo]

Our players need to think better in game. Matic kept dropping deep as a third CB to pick the ball up. As such Pogba was literally surrounded by 6 of their pressing players. Yet we constantly try to play it to him. Matic should be playing it Long outside to Rashford or Greenwood to bypass their press. Bruno as well should be dropping out wide to create an overload so that Matic can ping it out wide .

I agree with your analysis of the problem.

The thing is, when Fred came on for Pogba it was the exact same thing, meaning it was tactical instructions. They can't just deviate from instructions without the manager's approval.

 

[SAFMUTD]

Seriously? Don't think anybody in a Red shirt had a great game last night.

Well I was to generous saying great, he is clearly at fault for the first goal. He had an "okyish" game to be fair, not to bad but that mistake really sinks it.

 

[Mindhunter]

I feel we should have brought on Ighalo and just play it long. Southampton are one of the best pressing sides in the league so there’s no point bringing in another midfielder to try and control things when they have 6 players pressing our midfield and defence.

We were leading, bring Ighalo on, play it Long to bypass their press and if we win the second balls then take it from there and Attack them.

Yup that would have been trying a different tactic which could have worked. Asking their defense to react to something else. I feel OGS missed a trick today by starting the same 11 and then not using all our 5 substitutes. If Ighalo is going to be brought on only when we are 2-3 goals ahead then there is no point in having him.

OGS himself came in late to score in so many games so its strange that he is trying to close out games by defending.

 

[The Original]

He had a great match again, but it has to be said.

He is irresponsable by trying to beat his man in our freaking third of the field, it cost us a goal today and it nearly did last match. He needs to play safe there, not much to gain and a hell lot to lose in that area.

He didn't try to beat the man... Both times he just wasn't aware of their presence as they came from his blind side.

 

[MadDogg]

Yup that would have been trying a different tactic which could have worked. Asking their defense to react to something else. I feel OGS missed a trick today by starting the same 11 and then not using all our 5 substitutes. If Ighalo is going to be brought on only when we are 2-3 goals ahead then there is no point in having him.

OGS himself came in late to score in so many games so its strange that he is trying to close out games by defending.

I guess the problem is that Ighalo would have been replacing Martial, who was comfortably our best player today. Or pushing Martial out to the left and replacing Rashford who was also one of our better players. I guess technically we could have moved Rashford onto the right, but then it would have been Ighalo coming on instead of James who in theory also suited this game as we were looking to increase our counter-attacking threat when he came on.

Obviously we could have changed formation to 352 and used two strikers, but completely rearranging our defence brings it's own risks.

He didn't try to beat the man... Both times he just wasn't aware of their presence as they came from his blind side.

The second one at least he should have been getting told by his teammates that he was under pressure. If nobody was yelling at him I blame that one more on poor communication than Pogba himself. First one he should have just got it out of there since he was in a risky position (although I also think it was a poor pass for De Gea to make).

 

[freeurmind]

He was crap. Needs to give less interviews as well. Was all over the press this past week and then plays like that.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

He nearly cost us a goal in the previous game as well. Brilliant midfielder but needs to learn when keep it simple. He's generally been doing that fine of late as well but the odd brainfart is too costly in those areas.

 

[Romez]

Don’t know why I expected a reasonable discussion to happen.

This thread has gone to shit.

A bunch of overreactions and ridiculous statements.

Been injured for the majority of the season. 5th game in a row without rest. He was poor and tired just like a lot of the team were.

Next game, move on. Rotate against CP, hope we get a result. Come back with the first team and smash Chelsea.

 

[Strelok]

He didn't try to beat the man... Both times he just wasn't aware of their presence as they came from his blind side.

Yup, I know Pogba fan won't like what I say but ...

Well tbh I don't understand why Pogba, supposedly world class midfielder as he is, basically has very little awareness of what's around him.

Look at Scholes for example, in his days we usually see opposition players didn't even bother to press him. Because it's simply pointless. Scholes always seemed to be a step ahead of whoever wanted to press him. Blind side or not. And his trademark body faints. I see the same thing with Frenkie De Jong, of course at a lower level than Scholes imo. They're almost pressing bulletproof not because they're strong or fast. Just because they're always aware of what's going around them and always a step ahead. I just don't see that at Pogba, unfortunately.

 

[MiracleInMadrid]

I think he learned from his mistakes. It looked like he was very aware of his own mistake, and afterwards he played far more simple in our own half. Was part of why we had a good second part of the first half.

 

[MiracleInMadrid]

delete

 

[hmchan]

I agree with your analysis of the problem.

The thing is, when Fred came on for Pogba it was the exact same thing, meaning it was tactical instructions. They can't just deviate from instructions without the manager's approval.

That's why I always think we play out from the back too much. Retaining possession is one thing, but you simply have to kick the ball long when you're heavily pressed, even in Guardiola's team. We, instead, try to force risky short passes all the time and it's only a matter of time that we get punished. We also lack a plan in offensive transition and we rely heavily on Pogba's individual quality in our buildup play. That's why it looks like he is often caught in dangerous positions.

That said Pogba still had to do a bit better in this scenario, despite I'm a huge fan of him. He had to make a shoulder check before he got the ball, but he didn't probably because he could hold off his opponents with his strength most of the time.

 

[Mr Smith]

Our players need to think better in game. Matic kept dropping deep as a third CB to pick the ball up. As such Pogba was literally surrounded by 6 of their pressing players. Yet we constantly try to play it to him. Matic should be playing it Long outside to Rashford or Greenwood to bypass their press. Bruno as well should be dropping out wide to create an overload so that Matic can ping it out wide .

I agree. Pogba does deserve criticism for losing the ball but he was targeted by Southampton, he needed support. Bruno or one of the wingers should have been coming short, or we should have committed to playing over the press.

 

[Nou_Camp99]

Nobody could have foreseen Pogba fannying around on the edge of our box, and so early into a must win game as well, give him a 5 year contract on any terms he wants I say, we'd be bonkers not to ....

Seen him do it plenty of times. It's almost like some people don't watch him actually play for us. He gets caught in possession a lot more than you think as he takes too many touches at times. He's very casual.

Doesn't mean he's not talented because he clearly is but I have never kown a player to drive me as crazy as he does. He goes from the sublime to the ridiculous too much for me.

 

[SmallCaine]

Feck me i've entered the Twilight Zone. Yer wot?

My fault, i must have imagined this post, its definitely not you

Couldn't agree more.

.

 

[Kostov]

He was obviously targeted and it will happen again, but really Paul, you can't go and lose the ball there. He has to be smarter in situations like that.

 

[Rossa]

Not his biggest fan at all times, but he was third last for both our goals. Yes he had two complete brainfarts, but we also had more than enough chances to score more goals.

 

[roonster09]

It was poor performance but people need to get a grip. "Player xyz never loses possession" "player xyz never makes mistakes" nonsense.

He is still our best passer of the ball, only he can set attacks from deep positions. It was good decision to sub him out though, he looked tired.

It's like people are waiting for him to have a poor game to come up with all sort of nonsense.

 

[The Original]

Yup, I know Pogba fan won't like what I say but ...

Well tbh I don't understand why Pogba, supposedly world class midfielder as he is, basically has very little awareness of what's around him.

Look at Scholes for example, in his days we usually see opposition players didn't even bother to press him. Because it's simply pointless. Scholes always seemed to be a step ahead of whoever wanted to press him. Blind side or not. And his trademark body faints. I see the same thing with Frenkie De Jong, of course at a lower level than Scholes imo. They're almost pressing bulletproof not because they're strong or fast. Just because they're always aware of what's going around them and always a step ahead. I just don't see that at Pogba, unfortunately.

It seems to be a weakness that he has due to being overly reliant on his ability to beat a man. For all his other positives, I am willing to accept that he can work on this area.

 

[The Original]

Seen him do it plenty of times. It's almost like some people don't watch him actually play for us. He gets caught in possession a lot more than you think as he takes too many touches at times. He's very casual.

Doesn't mean he's not talented because he clearly is but I have never kown a player to drive me as crazy as he does. He goes from the sublime to the ridiculous too much for me.

Criticism must be put in the right context...both times he lost the ball it wasn't from taking too many touches.

It was because he wasn't aware of the opposition.

 

[Nou_Camp99]

Criticism must be put in the right context...both times he lost the ball it wasn't from taking too many touches.

It was because he wasn't aware of the opposition.

Which is just as bad if not worse.

He can be a 10 out of 10 player then a 5 out of 10 for a few games then he will throw in an 8 and 9 and back to 5 or 6. He's just not showing consistency whilst at United.

Talent oozes out of his backside but he really doesn't help himself with stupid errors like that. That was Southampton not Liverpool or Barcelona. He did same on final day against Cardiff. Casual pass loses ball doesn't try hard enough to get back and they score.

Patience is wearing thin now. He needs to get these costly errors out of his game. Its why I like him being as far from our goal as possible. He does all his best work in the attacking half.

 

[MuranoLover]

Time to say goodbye.

 

[Strelok]

It seems to be a weakness that he has due to being overly reliant on his ability to beat a man. For all his other positives, I am willing to accept that he can work on this area.

Problem is with this weakness I'm worried he'd cost us more of the same in the future. If played in this same position. It's only Sou, what if we face the biggest ones ? If we're for any big silverware for sure we'll have to face the kind of Barca, RM, Juve, PSG one day.

Imo we need to find a better DM than Matic, someone who is more pressing resistant. Who would keep possesion under heavy pressure and bring the ball forward himself. This would allow Pogba to be played in an more advance position thus reduce this kind of risks. Or he'll have to up his game in this aspect, but it's very unlikely. This kind of awareness either you're born with or you just don't have it. It would be stupid to not keep or play Pogba. So a new DM is a must imo.

 

[norm87cro]

Didn't look motivated at all in a game that should have put us third. And I don't think his mistake was a result of a bad touch but rather a result of poor awareness. And generally I think that is what his critics find annoying since nobody is doubting his talent. After a game like this it still begs the question should we sell him and get two midfielders instead. I never saw somebody like Modric make that kind of mistake ever.

 

[westmeath]

He has a few great moments going forward yesterday including a key role in both goals but Ings had his number when it came to receiving ball from centre halves. Nicely worked out by Southampton to be fair but real schoolboy stuff from Paul.

 

[kouroux]

His worst game by far since his return. He was absolutely atrocious at times

 

[Fracture90]

Off game tonight, he was lingering for too long on the ball. I believe we did the scouting on this Saints team and we know they press high and cover a lot of ground, that and his teammates did let him know when players were on him so it's really weird to see him being so slow with releasing the ball.

Hopefully he too will learn from this experience.

 

[Berbasbullet]

Poor last night but hard to play midfield on your own. That mistake surely DDG shouted man on?!

 

[Irrational.]

Pogba seems to struggle when pressed aggressively, or when receiving the ball under pressure from CBs. Like Neville said in the commentary he's much more comfortable receiving the ball from the wide players as he has more space.

I think what threw us was the energy levels of the Southampton players, and playing five games straight without rotation.

 

[Craig Ward]

Which is just as bad if not worse.

He can be a 10 out of 10 player then a 5 out of 10 for a few games then he will throw in an 8 and 9 and back to 5 or 6. He's just not showing consistency whilst at United.

Talent oozes out of his backside but he really doesn't help himself with stupid errors like that. That was Southampton not Liverpool or Barcelona. He did same on final day against Cardiff. Casual pass loses ball doesn't try hard enough to get back and they score.

Patience is wearing thin now. He needs to get these costly errors out of his game. Its why I like him being as far from our goal as possible. He does all his best work in the attacking half.

Couldnt agree more.

What i do dislike about our fanbase regarding pogba is people just cannot see any weakness to his game, yet they are glaringly obvious.

People will excuse his losing possession that leads to an opposition goal or chance with arguments like "He's our only creative player" or "he's world class" or "his passing is exceptional". Yes he is creative, yes he can pass - but he can still be absolutely bang average at certain things as well.

Smashing a great 60 yard pass through to Rashford or Martial is great - he does possess unique ability. But when you play central midfield and pick the ball up deep - you have to be aware of your surroundings, you have to use the ball and your body movement to keep the ball. You cannot lose it in dangerous areas. He is 4/10 when he gets the ball deep and is pressed. He's simply not good enough to be relied upon in this area of the pitch with the ball. Sometimes he'll keep it and look good and use his strength - but he will lose it and that will put us as a team in a position where we may concede.

I'm not particularly singling Pogba out for this - hundreds of midfielders will lose the ball like he did - it's part of football to some degree. But Pogba has the ability and talent to be so much better in this area. It's almost like we have to play him further up the pitch to mitigate this incompetence to his game,. yet our a section of our fans see no issue and still laud him as a world class player. He's world class in some areas i'll agree - but he's not great in this aspect of his game.

I dont really like comparing one player to another, but a Fernandinho, Carrick, Busquets, De Jong (literally hundreds) of central midfield players wouldnt lose the ball in that area of the pitch like Pogba does regularly.

Over his time here, he hasnt shown any improvement in this area of his game so we have to keep him away from that area. When he has time and no press, he can have it deep. Maybe Ole and the tactics are partly to blame, we should look at other ways to play the press. But realistically, you'd expect a player like Pogba to do better.

Shame for him to take some critique as he has been good lately - but it's a dangerous area to lose the ball and costs the team.

 

[Mainoldo]

Don’t know why I expected a reasonable discussion to happen.

This thread has gone to shit.

A bunch of overreactions and ridiculous statements.

Been injured for the majority of the season. 5th game in a row without rest. He was poor and tired just like a lot of the team were.

Next game, move on. Rotate against CP, hope we get a result. Come back with the first team and smash Chelsea.

Forget Chelsea. Rest him for that game. Is the FA cup semi going to get us 3 points?

 

[Mainoldo]

Didn't look motivated at all in a game that should have put us third. And I don't think his mistake was a result of a bad touch but rather a result of poor awareness. And generally I think that is what his critics find annoying since nobody is doubting his talent. After a game like this it still begs the question should we sell him and get two midfielders instead. I never saw somebody like Modric make that kind of mistake ever.

Are you a Spurs or Madrid fan then? Also who do we get in that is Modric level after we sell someone or Pogba’s level? Scotty T going to turn it on for us?

 

[Cassidy]

Typical knee jerk reactions...