Paul Pogba / turned down United offer of 300k as “nothing”

[Zehner]

This. Our other midfielders will make a mockery of this 'aggressive' formation.

What exactly does "aggressive 4-3-3" mean and why would Pogba shine in it? He had his best performances in cautious teams that sit back and transition quickly.

IMO, Pogba is a brillant player but you would be better of selling him because you can't play two midfielders who give away the ball as often as Pogba and Bruno without keeping one or both on the short leash tactically. Both players would profit from a midfield partner who recycles possession very well. Especially in attacking minded formations, you can't gift the ball to the opponent that often.

 

[He'sRaldo]

That's questionable though. More often than not last season the comments post match were positive.

People have their opinions on the player but more often than not he plays well enough and is a constant threat going forward which we will almost certainly lose in his absence. Likewise this narrative that he gives the ball away a lot is overplayed when you consider how many goals we've actually conceded from Paul losing the ball.

I think people hold him to a much higher standard than others, like say Fred or Scott. A typical game where Paul 'hasn't played very well' is the exact performance one of McFred will get away with week in, week out (whilst offering nothing going forward.)

It's baffling to me so I had to go back and look a few comments on all his matches last season after he recovered from COVID. Just to make sure I wasn't imagining things.

He had a very good, consistent season, and I have no idea how the assessment has somehow changed to him being a liability in the team. Of course he had poor games as well, who doesn't. But at least according to the receipts, his last season was a good one.

 

[RUCK4444]

It's baffling to me so I had to go back and look a few comments on all his matches last season after he recovered from COVID. Just to make sure I wasn't imagining things.

He had a very good, consistent season, and I have no idea how the assessment has somehow changed to him being a liability in the team. Of course he had poor games as well, who doesn't. But at least according to the receipts, his last season was a good one.

And that’s exactly how I remember it.

Except when I’ve described it as that I get accused of recency bias, when ironically it’s the other way around.

Another thing people tend to do is think his entire season was from the left wing when it wasn’t.

 

[romufc]

Nah not really. He was hardly Martial level of anonymous prior to December (it was an injury plagued season for him) - when fit he wasn't terrible.

If anything recency bias will account for the fact that almost all his detractors now view him as being awful last season, he wasn't, he was injured and when fit he was decent.

Obviously nothing in comparison to Martial.

I think with pogba he has so much talent but we have the same discussion with him almost every 6 months.

If Pogba had another 2/3 seasons on his contract, no issue but leaving for free would hurt but so would the possibility of 450k a week.

 

[Matthew84!]

Pogba I think gave away 3 penalties last season, that's why many see him as a liability.
I think that's why we started playing further forward away from our area.
No doubt on his day he's a very good player and the Euros just proved that.
I just think he's going to be chasing the money now as its his last big pay day.
Hope he stays but I don't think he will.

 

[lex talionis]

Pogba I think gave away 3 penalties last season, that's why many see him as a liability.
I think that's why we started playing further forward away from our area.
No doubt on his day he's a very good player and the Euros just proved that.
I just think he's going to be chasing the money now as its his last big pay day.
Hope he stays but I don't think he will.

Good point. The first thing that comes to mind when I think of Pogba is his incredible long range passing, but I too am guilty of overlooking his defensive weaknesses -- and the pk's he coughed up last season.

 

[United in sin]

I think this is recency bias. Pogba only started playing well in mid December after the West Ham game, so it wasn't even 1/2 a season he played well in really.

The narrative that he gives the ball away is valid because his passing % is very similar to Bruno who everyone says loses the ball too easily.

Obviously Pogba is held to a higher standard, he earns 300k in wages! Pogba has 5/6 good games a season and people think he is undroppable whereas McT even though they dont have much going forward, will give you energy in midfield.

Let's not forget he had an injury plagued season. He was injured before his return in late December and his goals in wins against Burnely and Fulham (and he won a penalty against Villa for Bruno to convert in a 2-1 win ) in January put us on top of the table for the first time last season. He was player of the month in January coming off that injury layoff before sustaining an a hamstring injury in early February

 

[Borys]

This. Our other midfielders will make a mockery of this 'aggressive' formation.

I have a question for you, aren't you tired of constant shitting on our midfielders?
You mocking McTominay and Fred who, I repeat, were consistently picked ahead of Amazing Paul Pogba is getting ridiculous at this point.

Nah not really. He was hardly Martial level of anonymous prior to December (it was an injury plagued season for him) - when fit he wasn't terrible.

If anything recency bias will account for the fact that almost all his detractors now view him as being awful last season, he wasn't, he was injured and when fit he was decent.

By the way, I agree with that post. Pogba was decent. Just decent. He had an OK season, some bad moments some good or even very good bits. Both Fred and McTominay had better seasons (were more important for the team across the season) although being far less talented players. And they have been rewarded because performances matter rather than unfulfilled potential.
Individual skills seem to be working for Pogba on the left wing, not so much in midfield.

 

[charlenefan]

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[prateik]

Sign a reasonable extension.. leave now.. leave on a free next season.. dont care..

I just hope we dont reward his average time at the club by giving him a bumper contract..

Letting him leave on a free is far better than giving him a 400k/week contract.. and I'm sure Riola will demand more than that which should make it a non starter.

 

[GledTheRed]

Sign a reasonable extension.. leave now.. leave on a free next season.. dont care..

I just hope we dont reward his average time at the club by giving him a bumper contract..

Letting him leave on a free is far better than giving him a 400k/week contract.. and I'm sure Riola will demand more than that which should make it a non starter.

He's after 400k or he's leaving on a free, absolute cnuts trick to be honest after he left once for free and we paid 90 million and 270 a week for five years of meh with the occasional glimpse.

 

[BlahRules]

Pogba and club will be negotiating for a new contract till it hits the new year's and then after it will be both parties could not find an agreement and Pogba is leaving to PSG for 600k a week or real madrid for 400k

 

[Judas]

he only turns up when he thinks the limelight is on him, champion's league games ans internationals, he needs to realise the enormity of playing for the biggest club in the world

Why was he so good on a cold midweek game in Burnley?

 

[RedDevil@84]

Pogba and club will be negotiating for a new contract till it hits the new year's and then after it will be both parties could not find an agreement and Pogba is leaving to PSG for 600k a week or real madrid for 400k

More likely PSG then

 

[The United]

There is no saying either of those will have any impact in the PL.
Saul is coming off a couple of seasons of poor form. Aouar is talented but slight and coming from Ligue 1.

People wishing Pogba away are going to be frustrated by the player replacing him, if it’s one of the few we’ve been linked with.

Camavinga is interesting but doesn’t want to play here and is one for the future. Other than him nobody stands out as a player who will improve us.

I’d still prefer us to sign a top DM and keep Pogba. No doubt in my mind that’s the better solution compared to the players we’re linked with.

Most of them are wishing he either extends the contract with us or feck off this season so that we can get something out of it for obvious reasons.

 

[RUCK4444]

Most of them are wishing he either extends the contract with us or feck off this season so that we can get something out of it for obvious reasons.

I'd say the vast majority want rid here. Vast majority of posts talk about him not being good enough or consistent enough, they seem to think we have better midfielders already here or that we will improve on him in the transfer window (two things I totally disagree with.)

I too would rather sell him than let him leave for free again. However keeping him would be my priority whilst still trying to strengthen the DM options.

 

[TheHeya]

Is he due back in Manchester tomorrow?

Varane is reportedly back in training for Madrid tomorrow so is pogba back tomorrow?

 

[RedDevil@84]

Vast majority of posts talk about him not being good enough or consistent enough, they seem to think we have better midfielders already here or that we will improve on him in the transfer window

People want to get rid because he has not been consistent enough and takes near 300k pw and is looking for a contract which will make him highest paid player ever for United.
And for someone as inconsistent as Pogba, that is way too much money

Also, people are sick of him and his agent constant rant about him being unhappy and how club is not doing things right for him. All it takes is a few months of bad form, which he is going to obviously have, and all the rant will be back. Also his friends and coach at France will keep ranting about how good boy he is who is misused by United.

Way too much circus and a costly one at that.

Him being better than all our midfielders (debatable for some) is hardly the main issue.

 

[beingshe7don]

I think we need to get rid of Pogba. Yes, he's a really good midfielder and so on but we need to build a team. With Pogba at United, we won't perform as a team but as individuals. Pogba does not pull his weight when required in midfield. As a CM, you're expected to do running back and forth and more than often, someone whose playing beside Pogba has got to pick the pieces and that was evident in his performances at the Euros as well. Yes, he had these hollywood passes and scored phenomenal goal but it's the basics which Pogba doesn't do. Let's just move him on and actually start building a team for Ole to compete for the title.

Sell him to PSG or get a swap deal done with Barcelona for De Jong or something. For Pogba to hold the club to ransom is just disrespectful.

 

[Bebestation]

The player and the situation Pogba always reminds of is Yaya Toure at Man city being sold under Pep.

An individual player with great ability that cant play to a team tactics. Everyone was shocked when he was sold like city had shot themselves on the foot but it was obvious that he was not needed anymore.

We are obviously not at the state of City - having the ability to sell Pogba and have the right CM and CDM all in one season looks unlikely. It's why I don't mind if he stays nor mind if he goes - kind of a positive and a negative to both.

 

[Tarrou]

The player and the situation Pogba always reminds of is Yaya Toure at Man city being sold under Pep.

An individual player with great ability that cant play to a team tactics. Everyone was shocked when he was sold like city had shot themselves on the foot but it was obvious that he was not needed anymore.

We are obviously not at the state of City - having the ability to sell Pogba and have the right CM and CDM all in one season looks unlikely. It's why I don't mind if he stays nor mind if he goes - kind of a positive and a negative to both.

Wasn't he like 35 and well past it when he left City?

 

[gajender]

Wasn't he like 35 and well past it when he left City?

Yes he was done at the top level and I believe he was released ,though he was utilised plenty in Pep's first season despite him being on wane but he hardly contributed to Pep's first PL trophy in his second season before being released .

 

[devilish]

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So he will either sign a new contract or he won't. Thank god there's sports journalists sniffing around. We wouldn't be able to reach those conclusions by ourselves

 

[Tincanalley]

Tbh I think it's time we thank Paul for the service and part way with him. He's already on 290k per week and a new contract will at least match De Gea's salary. That is going to create a problem in few years when it will be time to renew the contracts of Bruno, Rashford, Sancho, Greenwood(if he is going to continue his development ).

We should instead focus on shifting him and reinvesting the funds in the squad(Camavinga, Saul). Also we should restructure our wage policy get rid of Dave asap. His wages are creating a huge problem for future renewals.

Good post in a fairly sh1t thread. Just reading now. It’s all about poor dealing and Woody in the sweetshop, I suspect. As for PP, is any other club prepared to fork out big money at this point? And pay absurd wages to a spoilt and moody talent?

In fairness things seem to have improved in Pogland in the last months, extending into the Euros. Wonder if he’s in a weaker position than he thinks? He should be asked to take a wage cut.

 

[samolocix]

loan him to west ham or freeze him to the reserves

 

[Escobar]

We should exchange him for Varane. Just a shame RM cant even afford wages

 

[CG1010]

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If it is true that he is finding it difficult to get suitors to meet his wage requirements, despite theoretically running down the contract fully, is a big indicator on what he thinks is his quality and what the market really thinks.

 

[edcunited1878]

Just offer him a contract that is similar to what he's on now, if not a little higher to make him the highest paid outfield player at the club, so about 300K per week.

If United win the PL or CL, he gets a handsome 7 figure bonus. Just lay out in the open and be done with it.

Could care less if he leaves on a free...some club will then have to pay him more than Aaron Ramsey received at Juve for his free transfer...plus a much larger signing on fee and agent fee.

The club is better with him, but has shown to win without him many times before.

 

[CG1010]

Just offer him a contract that is similar to what he's on now, if not a little higher to make him the highest paid outfield player at the club, so about 300K per week.

If United win the PL or CL, he gets a handsome 7 figure bonus. Just lay out in the open and be done with it.

Could care less if he leaves on a free...some club will then have to pay him more than Aaron Ramsey received at Juve for his free transfer...plus a much larger signing on fee and agent fee.

The club is better with him, but has shown to win without him many times before.

What's the justification for that? He hasn't performed even close to being the best player at the club.

 

[Borys]

Just offer him a contract that is similar to what he's on now, if not a little higher to make him the highest paid outfield player at the club, so about 300K per week.

If United win the PL or CL, he gets a handsome 7 figure bonus. Just lay out in the open and be done with it.

Could care less if he leaves on a free...some club will then have to pay him more than Aaron Ramsey received at Juve for his free transfer...plus a much larger signing on fee and agent fee.

The club is better with him, but has shown to win without him many times before.

That is precisely called "contract extension" right? I would be shocked if we didn't do that already.

It's clear he decided to leave this until now (last year of contract) because that would put a huge pressure on us to pay him whatever he/his agent demands. The problem is though, I think he miscalculated because he's really not that important for us anymore. And we're fine with him leaving this season, just need to find a buyer.

In my opinion it would be a big mistake to let him run his contract down and leave on a free, I'd take any serious money and just sell him. Replacement is required, but I'm pretty sure we can figure it out.

 

[kouroux]

I think we need to get rid of Pogba. Yes, he's a really good midfielder and so on but we need to build a team. With Pogba at United, we won't perform as a team but as individuals. Pogba does not pull his weight when required in midfield. As a CM, you're expected to do running back and forth and more than often, someone whose playing beside Pogba has got to pick the pieces and that was evident in his performances at the Euros as well. Yes, he had these hollywood passes and scored phenomenal goal but it's the basics which Pogba doesn't do. Let's just move him on and actually start building a team for Ole to compete for the title.

Sell him to PSG or get a swap deal done with Barcelona for De Jong or something. For Pogba to hold the club to ransom is just disrespectful.

Holding the club to ransom ? Why are some of you blowing things out of proportion ? Every party wants to do what's in their best interest, no one is being evil and no one is being an angel here. If he doesn't wanna sign an extension, except for even bigger wages, it's his right. The club has options itself

 

[JohnZSmith27]

That is precisely called "contract extension" right? I would be shocked if we didn't do that already.

It's clear he decided to leave this until now (last year of contract) because that would put a huge pressure on us to pay him whatever he/his agent demands. The problem is though, I think he miscalculated because he's really not that important for us anymore. And we're fine with him leaving this season, just need to find a buyer.

In my opinion it would be a big mistake to let him run his contract down and leave on a free, I'd take any serious money and just sell him. Replacement is required, but I'm pretty sure we can figure it out.

Would be sick if we lost him on a free after the amount we paid to get him back. The problem is there isn't a lot we can do if he decides run it down. Nobody is putting in bids for him or agreeing to pay the wages he wants. Next summer clubs might be more willing to pay him a high wage when they don't have to pay us a fee to get him.

 

[Borys]

Would be sick if we lost him on a free after the amount we paid to get him back. The problem is there isn't a lot we can do if he decides run it down. Nobody is putting in bids for him or agreeing to pay the wages he wants. Next summer clubs might be more willing to pay him a high wage when they don't have to pay us a fee to get him.

That's clear, we can't force him out but at the same time we can make him understand he will NOT be a key element of the team we're building (if he wants to leave next season that is). That will limit his game time and will impact how "hot" he is next summer. That's risky strategy from him.

I have no attachment to Pogba, if he's putting pressure on us I hope we put the pressure on him.

 

[RedRonaldo]

Pogba was not able to get in the team ahead of McTominay of Fred though, and was moved to the wing (where he was very effective). With Sancho joining, I don't see how we will miss Pogba the midfielder (unless we don't get any midfielder in his place).

That’s was in last season when we need McFred to protect our questionable back 4 at times. Supposedly if we sign Varane and add another stronger DM, we would move to a more adventurous 433 as according to latest report.

 

[Borys]

That’s was in last season when we need McFred to protect our questionable back 4 at times. Supposedly if we sign Varane and add another stronger DM, we would move to a more adventurous 433 as according to latest report.

I'm sceptical we will move away from 4-2-4, Ole has been very stubborn with 2 man midfield for a while now and we already have the personnel to play 4-3-3 with Matic sitting (it is yet to be seen if we find a better DM than Matic).
And before somebody comments about Matic legs gone, that is why you play him in midfield 3 alongside two other midfielders. I would be delighted to see it, but we never ever do that. Maybe because Bruno plays 95% of the time.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

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I can't recall - why were we unable to renew his contract last summer?

 

[Borys]

I can't recall - why were we unable to renew his contract last summer?

That is the question. I can't imagine we didn't try to extend his contract.

 

[Tarrou]

I can't recall - why were we unable to renew his contract last summer?

the only explanation possible is he didn't want to

 

[bondsname]

From a football perspective I love Pogba, but I think it would be for the best if he leaves. He clearly has been thinking about a move for years if you believe the reports, if he doesn’t want to be here he should get the opportunity to play somewhere else. He has stated he likes Real Madrid, and I could also see him playing for PSG or a return to Juventus.

I also don’t recall him ever publicly stating that he wants to stay at United, especially after those ridiculous Raiola comments a way back. This Pogba situation is like getting back with your ex after she cheated on you, and when you go out partying she’s constantly flirting with other guys.

 

[Infra-red]

Looks like nobody is interested this summer, just like nobody was interested last summer. There's no way anyone is going to give him the wages he wants (and the fee Raiola wants) if they also have to pay a fee to United. He simply hasn't performed at a level that warrants it.

Free transfer next summer is surely his and Raiola's aim now - that will maximise what they personally earn from the deal.