[Marwood]

I've said it 1000 times before: he belongs on the left.
It's where he played for Juventus with two midfielders behind him to do the dirty work. He's also not really a #10 so he needs one in front of him too. This gives him a free creative role in which he excels. Unfortunately that means Rashford can't start unless we change formation.

One of the beauties of football is that its a simple game and sometimes that allows complete amateurs to see stuff managers can't.

I'm with you in saying for ages that he's not a CM and off the left is his best position.

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

See video below. That was from last week. Hahahahaha

I remember that video because Keane was talking non-sense. And you took it seriously because you have the same hate. The UCL Pogba was only given a chance to played as starter once against RB Leipzig and we won 5-0 and he made an assist. The Leicester he got an assist for Greenwood’s goal.

It makes no-sense why Keane criticised Pogba for our UCL exit and FA Cup exit. You are on the same page as him, can you give explanation why?

 

[mancan92]

Avoiding what? Zidane was clear of Pogba. As was Iniesta and Scholes. As was even Gerrard. He's not in the same league mate.

If you asked all 76,000 match going fans who was the better player for the club...Carrick or Pogba I'd wager more would say Carrick.

Don't put Paul Pogba up with the greatest players of the last 20 years. He's not that level.

People asked you a question. They even said separate from pogba yet you still avoid it completely.

You know what is being asked but you know it will destroy your whole argument it's actually funny to witness like when a guy has been called out by his girlfriend for cheating

 

[The Original]

It’s not going particularly overboard to recognise that his contributions have been vital to our results this season. I already detailed this in a different post to you that you completely ignored, so let’s try again.



You can then add an assist against Granada and a goal against Roma to that as well as 2 assists in the league, against Spurs (should have had two) and Burnley. And that doesn’t even taken into account how instrumental to our overall attacking play Pogba’s been in those games, which was well demonstrated by our performance against Leeds with him on the bench.

You’ve made 19 posts since we won 6-2 in a European semi-final and 17 of them have been laying into Pogba or his ‘fan bois’. You might want to rethink who has the agenda.

Mind boggling.

 

[Mike Phelan's Former Tash]

Brilliant player and great game last night.

I have been critical in the past about his attitude and the noise around him with his agent but there's no denying his quality.

 

[hungrywing]

@Nou_Camp99 will be taking a much needed break from this thread until the end of the season.

Threadbanned for taking up a reasonable position in the midst of people getting over-excited about a recent uptick in form vs five years of mediocrity sprinkled with a handful of performances living up to the billing?

Some weird stuff going on there.

Keep your head up @Nou_Camp99.

 

[Solius]

Threadbanned for taking up a reasonable position in the midst of people getting over-excited about a recent uptick in form vs five years of mediocrity sprinkled with a handful of performances living up to the billing?

Some weird stuff going on there.

Keep your head up @Nou_Camp99.

Not for his position, no. If anything I agree with the idea that his time here been mostly average with not enough top performances in there (though they seem to be getting more consistent).

For coming in here after every good game he has to shoot down others who are just enjoying having watched him play really well? For being argumentative and then ignoring points/questions people are putting to him? For a constant spew of negativity in the thread since last year? Yes for all of that.

 

[Icemav]

He's a player of big occasions with many incredible moments but he had his flaws and laziness was one of them. He's always been at his best when he had a couple of hardworking midfielders behind him playing well

Yes that was an issue. Maturity too. Looks to be he has matured, can play several positions now competently, and puts in a shift.

If his current form is anything to go by we have perhaps the most unique midfielder in the world. He is starting to dominate opponents and we should do what we can to keep him here.

 

[laughtersassassin]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Keep him and Sign Rice. Then we are laughing

 

[Bebestation]

He is going for more slide tackles these days.

He seems like he is more involved in a match when playing in positions that needs less overall involvement like at LM/LCM over CDM in a double pivot.

 

[AltiUn]

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

Keep him and Sign Rice. Then we are laughing

Keeping him and Cavani would be as good as any signing we could make over summer.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Probably a game that encapsulates Paul Pogba.
Offensively World Class. Defensively always prone to making a blunder.

If he cuts out that second bit, which, if we're real, has always been a problem, then there's really nothing you can critique him for.

In fairness to him he tracked the run and covered left back, worked hard defensively all game but was unfortunate to have his arms up whilst sliding, don’t think it was intentional.

 

[OmarUnited4ever]

Any football fan that tries to insinuate that McTominay is better than Pogba just isn’t worth listening to at all. And there are plenty of them on here.

Scott’s goals are being mentioned but pretty sure Pogba has matched even that metric for this season now. And even if he hasn’t, what are we trying to say? That Scott is better?

Now Pogba hasn’t scored enough ‘home goals’. Okay, but what about the away goals then? He’s also missed a year’s worth of football in that two year spell that keeps being mentioned but again - even if that were not the case, it is still idiotic to try and use goal stats to appraise him. He scored relatively late yesterday. Are we saying that until that point, he was playing poorly?

The ‘consistency’ argument is similarly bollocks. He’s been consistently very good this season, yet the post match praise is always ‘excellent when he decides...’, or ‘when he turns it on’ etc. Meanwhile, all of our other good players are apparently assumed to just be brilliant every game. In fact, there’s a section that use consistency to imply Scott has greater value, as while Pogba is ‘more talented’, it’s a case of ‘when he feels like’, so Scott is preferred, who can barely string 3 good games together himself. Then there’s the fact that a ‘good game’ for Scott McTominay and a good game for Pogba are completely different levels anyway.

What this season has shown me is that it’s clear that for a small (shrinking, even) group, Pogba will never simply be unobjectively top player. And praise will be backhanded, and it’s best to just leave that lot. The conversation is becoming boring for me, let them think what they want. The thing is, I don’t even think they think that, not deep down. They have just picked a side and are now committed.

this is sadly so so true

 

[LawCharltonBest]

Honestly, if all we did was sign Pogba and Cavani to new deals this summer and sign nothing. It would still be a bad summer, but it wouldn't be the worst.

If we sell Pogba, we could sign 3 replacements and not one would be able to touch an in-form Pogba. He's the Charizard of footballers

 

[lost7]

Not for his position, no. If anything I agree with the idea that his time here been mostly average with not enough top performances in there (though they seem to be getting more consistent).

For coming in here after every good game he has to shoot down others who are just enjoying having watched him play really well? For being argumentative and then ignoring points/questions people are putting to him? For a constant spew of negativity in the thread since last year? Yes for all of that.

Thank you, beautifully put. I don't think many people would disagree with Pogba not being anywhere near world class (average is spot on I'd say) in his time with us. And I don't think there were many people arguing against that either. So what's the need to post like 30 messages making the same point right after he's had a good game? That's just being miserable for the sake of it.

I will say, though, some of the posters arguing with him are just as to blame...

 

[Godfather]

Keeping him and Cavani would be as good as any signing we could make over summer.

I agree. Let Raiola run his fat mouth. As long as he stays here and performs I'm fine with it

 

[hungrywing]

Not for his position, no. If anything I agree with the idea that his time here been mostly average with not enough top performances in there (though they seem to be getting more consistent).

For coming in here after every good game he has to shoot down others who are just enjoying having watched him play really well? For being argumentative and then ignoring points/questions people are putting to him? For a constant spew of negativity in the thread since last year? Yes for all of that.

I see.

For whatever it's worth, bolded part I'd understand. The other points, I don't see it at least in the past few pages. He/she's been very consistent across them. It's actually the other posters who are 'twisting and turning' and putting words in his/her mouth i.e. he/she argues that for the money Pogba should be scoring/assisting more; other posters: derp-derp-well-did-INieSta-score-lots-huh.

It's important to remember this is a player who's behaved horrendously towards the club, and worst of all, did so in a cowardly fashion via his agent. This tells you loads about the player's personality.

For people who still don't understand, SAF had him pegged from the get go. The Rafael/Park-in-midfield game for example was a very specific test for narcissistic traits, and he failed it. The derp-derp-but-SAF-offered-him-a-contract-obviously-he-wanted-him-to-stay-derp-derp people don't understand that SAF knew that contract would be turned down.

 

[NoLogo]

I wonder if the way forward and accommodating him alongside would be playing a 3-4-2-1 with him and Bruno behind Cavani covered by Fred and McTom or preferably someone who is a bit more skilled on the ball than those two next season.

Cavani
Pogba -- Bruno
Shaw ---- ?????? ---- Fred ---- AWB
Torres -- Maguire -- Lindelof
Henderson​

I feel like this could really work, especially if we are really in for Pau Torres who would fit in very well on the left side of the CB trio.

 

[The Original]

I see.

For whatever it's worth, bolded part I'd understand. The other points, I don't see it at least in the past few pages. He/she's been very consistent across them. It's actually the other posters who are 'twisting and turning' and putting words in his/her mouth i.e. he/she argues that for the money Pogba should be scoring/assisting more; other posters: derp-derp-well-did-INieSta-score-lots-huh.

It's important to remember this is a player who's behaved horrendously towards the club, and worst of all, did so in a cowardly fashion via his agent. This tells you loads about the player's personality.

For people who still don't understand, SAF had him pegged from the get go. The Rafael/Park-in-midfield game for example was a very specific test for narcissistic traits, and he failed it. The derp-derp-but-SAF-offered-him-a-contract-obviously-he-wanted-him-to-stay-derp-derp people don't understand that SAF knew that contract would be turned down.

The sense of delusion of grandeur that it takes to sit somewhere and imagine that you know, to the exclusion of all others, of a grand theory behind SAF's actions is pure comedy.

 

[hungrywing]

The sense of delusion of grandeur that it takes to sit somewhere and imagine that you know, to the exclusion of all others, of a grand theory behind SAF's actions is pure comedy.

Yeah, it's really weird how other people besides SAF are involved in top-level organizational management. Also, good job puling the 'to the exclusion of all others' out of your ass. Never said that, never would.

 

[Raven]

I see.

For whatever it's worth, bolded part I'd understand. The other points, I don't see it at least in the past few pages. He/she's been very consistent across them. It's actually the other posters who are 'twisting and turning' and putting words in his/her mouth i.e. he/she argues that for the money Pogba should be scoring/assisting more; other posters: derp-derp-well-did-INieSta-score-lots-huh.

It's important to remember this is a player who's behaved horrendously towards the club, and worst of all, did so in a cowardly fashion via his agent. This tells you loads about the player's personality.

For people who still don't understand, SAF had him pegged from the get go. The Rafael/Park-in-midfield game for example was a very specific test for narcissistic traits, and he failed it. The derp-derp-but-SAF-offered-him-a-contract-obviously-he-wanted-him-to-stay-derp-derp people don't understand that SAF knew that contract would be turned down.

Some incredible mental gymnastics and an astounding lack of understanding about football here.

 

[hungrywing]

Some incredible mental gymnastics and an astounding lack of understanding about football here.

Come up with some specifics and maybe there can be a discussion.

 

[AgentSmith]

Yeah, it's really weird how other people besides SAF are involved in top-level organizational management. Also, good job puling the 'to the exclusion of all others' out of your ass. Never said that, never would.

Are you actually comparing yourself as a manager to Alex Ferguson?

 

[hungrywing]

Are you actually comparing yourself as a manager to Alex Ferguson?

Totally. You must be the smartest person in your neighborhood to have made that leap.

 

[Raven]

Come up with some specifics and maybe there can be a discussion.

Why can't Pogba and Iniesta be compared? They played the same positions, as the the most advanced CM in a 3 or out on the LW.

Then for you to claim to have intimate knowledge of SAF's decision making a decade ago is just beyond delusional.

 

[Holocene]

@Nou_Camp99 will be taking a much needed break from this thread until the end of the season.

Have you thread banned him?

 

[hungrywing]

Why can't Pogba and Iniesta be compared? They played the same positions, as the the most advanced CM in a 3 or out on the LW.

Then for you to claim to have intimate knowledge of SAF's decision making a decade ago is just beyond delusional.

You do realize that management techniques are applicable across many fields, right? For example, if you're a drug-kingpin, and there's this talented but dangerous uppity low-level dealer who thinks he should be in charge of more than he is, and you test his loyalty out by giving more product to someone who everyone knows is inferior to him and he flips out, then you know where his priorities lie.

If you can't grasp that, don't worry about it.

@Solius, keep in mind, this is exactly the type of cringey stuff that you have to realize isn't nou_camp vacillating and 'avoiding'. There's no way anyone can consistenly respond to non-sequiturs/strawmen like this. I gave the iniesta thing as an example of specifically how like nou_camp can't possibly respond and someone just takes it literally and comes in with maximum derpage thinking I was arguing that, too. Totally understand moderating isn't easy. Just saying that across the past few pages, nou_camp was being very consistent and not avoiding/ignoring. I understand I may not have seen long-term abusive behavior on his/her part.

 

[OverratedOpinion]

I see.

For whatever it's worth, bolded part I'd understand. The other points, I don't see it at least in the past few pages. He/she's been very consistent across them. It's actually the other posters who are 'twisting and turning' and putting words in his/her mouth i.e. he/she argues that for the money Pogba should be scoring/assisting more; other posters: derp-derp-well-did-INieSta-score-lots-huh.

It's important to remember this is a player who's behaved horrendously towards the club, and worst of all, did so in a cowardly fashion via his agent. This tells you loads about the player's personality.

For people who still don't understand, SAF had him pegged from the get go. The Rafael/Park-in-midfield game for example was a very specific test for narcissistic traits, and he failed it. The derp-derp-but-SAF-offered-him-a-contract-obviously-he-wanted-him-to-stay-derp-derp people don't understand that SAF knew that contract would be turned down.

I didn't think people were allowed to have 2 accounts?

 

[The Original]

Yeah, it's really weird how other people besides SAF are involved in top-level organizational management. Also, good job puling the 'to the exclusion of all others' out of your ass. Never said that, never would.

Okay, so:

1. Being involved in top-level management does not mean, for an instant, that you have any insight into how SAF did what he did. Not all top-level managers are equally good, nor do they apply the same tactics in man-management. You have therefore made no argument whatsoever.

2. The reasoning of your attempted argument is faulty in that, the purpose of a test would be to acquire some information in order to guide decision-making, and you cannot show what decision SAF took based on the results of the supposed test.

a. If SAF tested Pogba and knew he would leave, then it was futile to offer him a contract to stay, knowing he would leave. Why would SAF do this? This act could not logically be linked to any outcome from the supposed test unless you are saying that SAF did not want Pogba to realize that he wanted him gone. Again, why would SAF feel that way?

b. If the purpose of the test was to establish his character, and it was established that he was a narcissist, then offering him a contract either meant SAF wanted narcissists around or, again, committed an inexplicable act.

So which is it?

 

[Holocene]

I see.

For whatever it's worth, bolded part I'd understand. The other points, I don't see it at least in the past few pages. He/she's been very consistent across them. It's actually the other posters who are 'twisting and turning' and putting words in his/her mouth i.e. he/she argues that for the money Pogba should be scoring/assisting more; other posters: derp-derp-well-did-INieSta-score-lots-huh.

It's important to remember this is a player who's behaved horrendously towards the club, and worst of all, did so in a cowardly fashion via his agent. This tells you loads about the player's personality.

For people who still don't understand, SAF had him pegged from the get go. The Rafael/Park-in-midfield game for example was a very specific test for narcissistic traits, and he failed it. The derp-derp-but-SAF-offered-him-a-contract-obviously-he-wanted-him-to-stay-derp-derp people don't understand that SAF knew that contract would be turned down.

Can we get a source on that? Or are you going to do a @Nou_Camp99 special and avoid the question?

 

[BULB]

Pogba is playing for a new contract.

Enjoy the stellar form while it lasts.

 

[OverratedOpinion]

Pogba is playing for a new contract.

Enjoy the stellar form while it lasts.

Don't really get this.

Does anyone really think we ever wouldn't have offered him a contract and that it would not have been a big one?

 

[AltiUn]

Pogba is playing for a new contract.

Enjoy the stellar form while it lasts.

I think there's a discussion to be had about Pogba looking disinterested under Mourinho, even if I don't necessarily agree with that notion, but I don't think I've once seen Pogba look like he's not giving it his 100% for Solskjaer.

Pogba's playing in a team with a lot of very good players so it's not entirely surprising his form has been so good this season, having lots of good players just raises the collective level of the team. I predict if we add another really good defensive midfielder then he, and the team, will look even better. Rashford, Shaw, Fernandes, Cavani and Pogba have all pulled their weight this season.

 

[Rozay]

Another thing, and maybe it’s just me - but I also feel when watching him as one of the most skilful players in the game, a great sense of pride in that ‘this came from our academy’. I remember watching Pogba on MUTV every week as a kid. And I think, personally, that it makes me even more proud to have a player of his profile come from our academy. Over the last few decades the insinuation is always that English clubs produce homegrown hardworking future captain runners and supplement them with supreme gifted signings from abroad. I’m proud that this kind of quality was in our youth set up, albeit not from the age of 8.

 

[Cloud7]

I really hope he signs a new contract. It feels like we're really just a couple players away from a title, even facing down a city squad as good as it is. Pogba is an important part of that.

 

[e.cantona]

Been very Pogba out last few seasons. Starting to change my mind. Maybe he can still do it at United

 

[westmeath]

God this is painful reading. Thread completely derailed. It’s possible to be in two minds about Pogba too. Sometimes he’s great, occasionally world class and occasionally stinks the joint out.

He’s been really good this season when fit and has earned a few results for the team due to his individual brilliance. Having been in the “get rid” camp for a long time I now think we should offer him a big contract.

I might have a different view next week. It’s not religion lads, chill out, these are just footballers you are arguing about. They don’t care half a much as you idiots.

 

[RUCK4444]

Class. Glad to see more and more want him to remain.

Getting him to renew is one of the most important pieces of business we can do this summer imo.

No matter how good our recruitment is this summer it will massively tainted for me if we lose Pogba.

We simply won’t replace him and we are SO close to having a team that can compete at the top, a team that will really get the maximum out of Pogba. To lose him now would be such a shame and a step backwards.

 

[RUCK4444]

God this is painful reading. Thread completely derailed. It’s possible to be in two minds about Pogba too. Sometimes he’s great, occasionally world class and occasionally stinks the joint out.

He’s been really good this season when fit and has earned a few results for the team due to his individual brilliance. Having been in the “get rid” camp for a long time I now think we should offer him a big contract.

I might have a different view next week. It’s not religion lads, chill out, these are just footballers you are arguing about. They don’t care half a much as you idiots.

Except your flip flapping back and forth and the aggressive way many do so on this forum stinks the place out.

Ive backed him consistently, I don’t necessarily feel vindicated becuase im used to being right

It’s when you get the ‘he’s trash’ and ‘playing for a move’ with the rest of the general OTT reactions thats grating for many.

 

[Holocene]

Another thing, and maybe it’s just me - but I also feel when watching him as one of the most skilful players in the game, a great sense of pride in that ‘this came from our academy’. I remember watching Pogba on MUTV every week as a kid. And I think, personally, that it makes me even more proud to have a player of his profile come from our academy. Over the last few decades the insinuation is always that English clubs produce homegrown hardworking future captain runners and supplement them with supreme gifted signings from abroad. I’m proud that this kind of quality was in our youth set up, albeit not from the age of 8.

I think this is where a lot of the Pogba hatred stems from actually. He was one of our own, left the club rather doing it the "United way" (for betterment of his career) and then the club paid a huge fee to bring him back. They've never been able to get over that he left the club.