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

Tallis

Full Member
Joined
Dec 23, 2020
Messages
982
Ole's press conference for the Young Boys game was very interesting on this point.

He mentions that it's now up to the group to show that we can win things, when asked about Pogba signing an extension.

Clearly Paul wants to win leagues and the UCL - which honestly, United didn't give him a chance to do before this.

He had 2 seasons with Jose where he didn't understand what the manager was doing to United as a club and the way we are supposed to play.

Ole came.in and he carried us for 4 months before he ran out of steami. Was injured for 75% of the next season, and then 30% of Ole's third one. Was perhaps our best player after Bruno and Shaw last season. (It's been 8-9 months of very consistent performances).

Now is his last season on his original contract. He has the best chance of winning something since he came. So if United can do that, I don't see him going anywhere for the next few seasons.
That’s a reasonable take. Most seem to be on either extreme.

I thought the Newcastle game was as good as I have seen him play. He put in the defensive work and even though he gave the ball away few times and had people run away from him, I think that’s ok and the most we can reasonably expect from Pogba. He is never going to be a superstar defensive player but if he can put in the work, then his passing, progression and cutting edge will make up for it.
 

dal

New Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2013
Messages
2,207
Pogba is the best progressive passer from midfield in the league, easily the best we have had since Carrick (at least) and you want to replace him with a bog-standard pl midfielder - basically a worse version of Fred. Yeah, that's mental and it seriously weakens our team and its ability to get the ball to our attackers. Even if Pogba has not been outstanding every game over 6 years (which is what people seem to mean when they call Pogba unconsistent), replacing him with Kalvin Phillips is basically footballing hari-kiri.

Pogba is the only player we have who can actually retain possession in midfield (and who isn't Matic). Wanting to replace him with yet another moderately talented, high energy no8 who would never start for us anyway - you can't seriously think that.
Pogbas best form for us comes from the left wing, when Fred and Mctominay are fit they generally start in midfield over him.

Against any decent opposition he rarely plays in a two and if he does it doesn’t end up well.

Phillips is a proper two man midfield player, Pogba isn’t at all. Comparing Phillips to Pogba is just stupid considering Pogba is better on the left and can’t really play there against decent opposition.

Rashford, Ronaldo and Sancho are all better than Pogba from the left and can fill a creative void.

Ronaldo, Cavani, Greenwood, Rashford, Bruno, Sancho, Amad.

Phillips, Mctominay, Fred, VDB.

We would not miss Pogba I assure you.
 

Volumiza

The alright "V", B-Boy cypher cat
Joined
Jul 13, 2018
Messages
13,552
Location
Somewhere in the middle
I think we all agree his ideal position is part of a 3 man midfield and who knows if we’ll see ole trial it this season therefore it’s either left of the front 3 which he’s good enough to make an impression against most teams but it also depends on how teams set up against us. This isn’t his natural position plus Marcus, Ronaldo, Sancho, martial and mason are all viable options.
Pogba has to play in CM now. There’s no way that we should be playing Pogba on that left attacking slot now we have Sancho and Rashford fighting for the same position. Pogba has shown he can play in CM already this season and do well.
 

Son

Full Member
Joined
Apr 24, 2019
Messages
1,721
Pogbas best form for us comes from the left wing, when Fred and Mctominay are fit they generally start in midfield over him.

Against any decent opposition he rarely plays in a two and if he does it doesn’t end up well.

Phillips is a proper two man midfield player, Pogba isn’t at all. Comparing Phillips to Pogba is just stupid considering Pogba is better on the left and can’t really play there against decent opposition.

Rashford, Ronaldo and Sancho are all better than Pogba from the left and can fill a creative void.

Ronaldo, Cavani, Greenwood, Rashford, Bruno, Sancho, Amad.

Phillips, Mctominay, Fred, VDB.

We would not miss Pogba I assure you.
So your saying swap possibly the best player at the club for a guy who has half the talent and has never dictated a game in his life?

Yeah makes sense.

He runs around a lot though so goes perfectly with Fred, McT and a 4th place finish in the league.
 

dal

New Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2013
Messages
2,207
So your saying swap possibly the best player at the club for a guy who has half the talent and has never dictated a game in his life?

Yeah makes sense.

He runs around a lot though so goes perfectly with Fred, McT and a 4th place finish in the league.
Yeah we’ve had Pogba for 5 years and we have won so many league titles.

The guy doesn’t even have a nailed down position in our team, he’s moved around constantly because he’s so unreliable.

Going against a top team I’d never trust Pogba,

Rashford, Ronaldo, Sancho, Bruno, Fred, Mctominay - trustworthy .
 

RUCK4444

New Member
Joined
Feb 3, 2015
Messages
9,553
Location
$¥$¥$¥$¥$
Pogbas best form for us comes from the left wing, when Fred and Mctominay are fit they generally start in midfield over him.

Against any decent opposition he rarely plays in a two and if he does it doesn’t end up well.

Phillips is a proper two man midfield player, Pogba isn’t at all. Comparing Phillips to Pogba is just stupid considering Pogba is better on the left and can’t really play there against decent opposition.

Rashford, Ronaldo and Sancho are all better than Pogba from the left and can fill a creative void.

Ronaldo, Cavani, Greenwood, Rashford, Bruno, Sancho, Amad.

Phillips, Mctominay, Fred, VDB.

We would not miss Pogba I assure you.
Phillips has been DESTROYED by every decent team in this league on average by about 4-5 goals.
 

pav1790

Full Member
Joined
Aug 22, 2015
Messages
375
Location
San Diego
His hanger-on brothers have no shame.
Quite. I really don't understand the people that hang on to their betters' coattails. When seagulls follow the trawler it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea. Sardines here are the clicks. A section of the fans, or may be it's the rival fans really gravitate to this shit show. Best to ignore it, really. It will hurt to lose him, but if he wants to go, he wants to go. There's an offer on the table. He has to decide.
 

Green Arrow

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Jan 9, 2020
Messages
384
Location
Formally of Chorlton
I'm sure his brothers annual TV appearance has come early this year? He usually does it when Raiola is mouthing off to back him up.
I was waiting for his brother to come out and say something, it's like clock work anything to do with Paul about contracts/moving he comes out and says something. Next it will be his agent better not say anything now before the game tonight!
 

Volumiza

The alright "V", B-Boy cypher cat
Joined
Jul 13, 2018
Messages
13,552
Location
Somewhere in the middle
Phillips, Mctominay, Fred, VDB.
Dude, I loved Fred and McT's effort and energy a couple of years ago. It was refreshing to see the drive and commitment in a pretty sh*t team. They are now the weakest link and even though I've not historically been Pogbas biggest fan I'd like to see him stay and play in CM alongside an upgrade on Matic. Currently Fred and McT are our back ups. Matic and Pogba should be first choice.
 

BlackBen

Full Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2018
Messages
725
Location
Ghana
Pogba won’t be a huge miss at all, he’s been very inconsistent his entire time here.

I’d rather have Phillips playing in a midfield two, especially, and he doesn’t set the world alight from the left either.


————————Ronaldo/Cavani——————
Ronaldo/Rashford——Sancho-Greenwood.
————————-Bruno/Sancho———————

Martial/lingard/Omad providing auxiliary depth.

VDB/Mctominay/Fred/Phillips - that’s fine.

Replace Cavani and Martial with Haaland next year and we are there or thereabouts.
Paraphrasing a RAWK post “I think I may have to lay on me back in my bathtub and piss in me eyes “ after reading this post.

Phillips rather than Pogba? Feck me :houllier:
 
Last edited:

Bwuk

Full Member
Joined
Feb 29, 2012
Messages
17,343
If we continue playing Fred in CM over Pogba then we won't win anything.
 

dal

New Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2013
Messages
2,207
Paraphrasing a RAWK post “I think I may have to lay on me back in my bathtub and piss in me eyes “ after reading this post.

Phillips rather than Pogba? Feck me :houllier:
To be honest it’s Rashford over Pogba as I don’t consider Pogba to be a two man midfielder, for me he plays best off the left.

We don’t need him a handful of good games won’t change that opinion.

Some incredibly short memories here.
 

BlackBen

Full Member
Joined
Oct 1, 2018
Messages
725
Location
Ghana
To be honest it’s Rashford over Pogba as I don’t consider Pogba to be a two man midfielder, for me he plays best off the left.

We don’t need him a handful of good games won’t change that opinion.

Some incredibly short memories here.
Ok coach.
 

spiriticon

Full Member
Joined
Feb 3, 2013
Messages
7,446
Can we not keep Paul Pogba but shove his family and agent off the edge of a cliff somewhere?

Except Mama Pogba. I love Mama Pogba.
 

Mentality Monsters

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Aug 16, 2021
Messages
160
I'd be happy with this if Ole brings in a DM and we switch to 433. If he continues with 4231, then the Pogba conundrum will continue, even more so when Rashford is back. We'll then spend the rest of his contract trying to shoehorn him into a position to try and make it work.

I don't think anyone is doubting the quality Pogba has. It's there for all to see. It's more, are we able to accommodate him in a way that gets the best out of both him and his team-mates?
 
Last edited:

sparx99

Full Member
Joined
May 22, 2016
Messages
3,949
To be honest it’s Rashford over Pogba as I don’t consider Pogba to be a two man midfielder, for me he plays best off the left.

We don’t need him a handful of good games won’t change that opinion.

Some incredibly short memories here.
I can’t see how you can want Fred or McTominay over Pogba even in a two-man midfield. All three give the ball away but Pogba’s quality makes up for it whereas McTominay and Fred will chase harder. I’d rather the flawed genius than a hard worker. Keeping the ball (which Pogba does better than either of McFred) is also a way of defending.

The constant criticism of Pogba’s years here not being out most successful completely ignores the team around him during those years. He was playing with Smalling and Fellaini. A shit Alexis. Fat Lukaku. The squad was awful. Even then we finished second in the season he played in a midfield two with Herrera.
 

Adam-Utd

Part of first caf team to complete Destiny raid
Joined
Sep 10, 2010
Messages
39,954
To be fair, the usual chat out of their mouths looks FAR more negative than this. The fact they're saying he's happy here is a complete U turn of what they usually say.

If anything that's a great sign IMO. I think PP realises our team is on the up, the pay will be good and he wants to see how the team challenges before committing.
 

the_cliff

Full Member
Joined
Sep 4, 2013
Messages
5,597
To be fair, the usual chat out of their mouths looks FAR more negative than this. The fact they're saying he's happy here is a complete U turn of what they usually say.

If anything that's a great sign IMO. I think PP realises our team is on the up, the pay will be good and he wants to see how the team challenges before committing.
Considering that the interview is from El Chiringuito tv I'd think it's more of a 'Come get me before it's too late' to Madrid.
 

Adam-Utd

Part of first caf team to complete Destiny raid
Joined
Sep 10, 2010
Messages
39,954
Considering that the interview is from El Chiringuito tv I'd think it's more of a 'Come get me before it's too late' to Madrid.
Nah, they just pay him to appear hoping he gives them something juicy.

Chiringuito is literally soap opera TV. I'd say the fact even on that show he hasn't said anything bad like "PAUL LOVES MADRID WANTS TO JOIN ASAP" has to be a positive.

Anyway, all the talk etc doesn't mean much, i'd take ornstein's report with a pinch of salt also. As long as PP keeps playing well and is committed then i'm happy.
 

laughtersassassin

Full Member
Joined
Jun 12, 2014
Messages
11,492
Considering that the interview is from El Chiringuito tv I'd think it's more of a 'Come get me before it's too late' to Madrid.
Pogba doesn't need his brother to get Madrid to buy him. He is in the top Midfielders in the world. There is arguably no Midfielder better suited to supplying Mbappe than Pogba. Madrid know that.

Pogbas brother is just trying to live off his name and stay relevant
 

dal

New Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2013
Messages
2,207
I can’t see how you can want Fred or McTominay over Pogba even in a two-man midfield. All three give the ball away but Pogba’s quality makes up for it whereas McTominay and Fred will chase harder. I’d rather the flawed genius than a hard worker. Keeping the ball (which Pogba does better than either of McFred) is also a way of defending.

The constant criticism of Pogba’s years here not being out most successful completely ignores the team around him during those years. He was playing with Smalling and Fellaini. A shit Alexis. Fat Lukaku. The squad was awful. Even then we finished second in the season he played in a midfield two with Herrera.
He turns up when he wants to and it’s annoying. Yes he can be brilliant but it’s not enough.

If you are playing in a midfield two then you must be disciplined, he’s a luxury player in that position.

On the left he’s great though and I’ve always said he’s a a front three player but in those positions with what we have he’s a sub for me.
 

Suv666

Full Member
Joined
Feb 11, 2016
Messages
8,767
Cant see a scenario where we are able to retain Pogba.

Besides a midfield trio of Bruno, Pogba and Matic/Fred/McTom is too attacking.
 

Flytan

New Member
Joined
May 20, 2013
Messages
3,754
Location
United States
Typical Caf meltdown, he’s said nothing of note here. Keep calm & enjoy his great form.
No one's overreacting to anything. People are just sick of his brother's/agent talking at what seem like terrible times. We just get into good form and the first thing out of their mouths is he may leave. Eve of a UCL match which is tradition at this point too.
 

RORY65

Full Member
Joined
May 28, 2009
Messages
4,535
Cant see a scenario where we are able to retain Pogba.

Besides a midfield trio of Bruno, Pogba and Matic/Fred/McTom is too attacking.
If we had one of the elite holding midfield players we might be able to get away with it (City played with the 2 ten's, albeit De Bruyne is more industrious, ahead of Fernandinho) but they're very hard to find. The issue with Pogba, as much as he's a brilliantly gifted player and I still hope we keep him, is that we now have so many attacking options while we lack the same depth or quality in the deeper role so he will likely have to play there a lot and it may lead to his form and mood dropping again unless we can finally finding a pairing with him in it that works (McTominay would be the most likely).
 

afrocentricity

Part of first caf team to complete Destiny raid
Joined
May 12, 2005
Messages
27,082
No one's overreacting to anything. People are just sick of his brother's/agent talking at what seem like terrible times. We just get into good form and the first thing out of their mouths is he may leave. Eve of a UCL match which is tradition at this point too.
Funny thing is, nobody cares. A subset of fans in here and on social media, work themselves into a frenzy but in the wider world, not a feck given...
 

justsomebloke

Full Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2020
Messages
5,945
If we had one of the elite holding midfield players we might be able to get away with it (City played with the 2 ten's, albeit De Bruyne is more industrious, ahead of Fernandinho) but they're very hard to find. The issue with Pogba, as much as he's a brilliantly gifted player and I still hope we keep him, is that we now have so many attacking options while we lack the same depth or quality in the deeper role so he will likely have to play there a lot and it may lead to his form and mood dropping again unless we can finally finding a pairing with him in it that works (McTominay would be the most likely).
Arsenal apparently did too for the last half-hour against Norwich, after bringing on Smith-Rowe. ESR and Ødegaard up front, Partey behind. If they can do it, I'm starting to believe we can too. Will be interesting to see if they try it for a full game, and against someone better than Norwich.

Considering how many players we have who would fit much better into that formation than they do in a 4231 (Donny, Pogba, Lingard just to name the most obvious), it's a really appealing prospect.
 

Flytan

New Member
Joined
May 20, 2013
Messages
3,754
Location
United States
Funny thing is, nobody cares. A subset of fans in here and on social media, work themselves into a frenzy but in the wider world, not a feck given...
I think you really exaggerate how much people care. I find it annoying but want him to stay and am certainly not in a frenzy over the comments