Paul Pogba image 6

Paul Pogba France flag

2020-21 Performances


View full 2020-21 profile

6.0 Season Average Rating
Appearances
42
Goals
6
Assists
6
Yellow cards
9
Status
Not open for further replies.

amolbhatia50k

Sneaky bum time - Vaccination status: dozed off
Joined
Nov 8, 2002
Messages
95,792
Location
india
Think he was the best player, at least from midfield and attack on the pitch last night. Some of those passes were glorious especially the one for the first goal and then the one for the disallowed goal. Brilliant.
 

amolbhatia50k

Sneaky bum time - Vaccination status: dozed off
Joined
Nov 8, 2002
Messages
95,792
Location
india
The only problem is that he has far too many brilliant moments with the French side compared with when plying for us, and far too many donkey moments when playing for United compared with his performances in the national side.

Of course, the French team is superior to ours (if one can make such comparisons), but I am convinced he is LESS motivated when playing for United. It may be relatively easy to fix the midfield, but far too difficult to fix the mind.
I don't thinks it's motivation but the respective quality in the two teams. At France he has just the right kind of team set up with a couple of midfielders who are better defensively than him, but also have quality unlike our glorious McFred combo. Then in attack he is left to just create rather than be some all in one playmaker who runs the game which he'll never be. And he has players like Mbappe to create for. Other than that France are defensively strong so he doesn't have to worry about making a mistake or two, and of course France are a confident team who win rather than one that's always in a struggle.
 

Highfather_24

Full Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2014
Messages
2,725
Rashford also plays better for the NT. Are we doubting his motivation for Utd?

Some players play better for their NT. As for Pogba, yes he plays better for France. Maybe that has something to do with with playing with Kante/Tolisso over McFred? The way you guys do mental gymnastics to justify not praising a good performance, it seems like y'all are talking about a opposition player

Anyway. Good performance, Pogba. Still think we should sell him though.
 

Jibbs

New Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2013
Messages
2,238
Think he was the best player, at least from midfield and attack on the pitch last night. Some of those passes were glorious especially the one for the first goal and then the one for the disallowed goal. Brilliant.
If you compare French team with United. The two key differences are, He plays beside Kante there and he has Mbappe up front. The rest of French side and United don't have that much of a difference.
 

Jibbs

New Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2013
Messages
2,238
Rashford also plays better for the NT. Are we doubting his motivation for Utd?

Some players play better for their NT. As for Pogba, yes he plays better for France. Maybe that has something to do with with playing with Kante/Tolisso over McFred? The way you guys do mental gymnastics to justify not praising a good performance, it seems like y'all are talking about a opposition player

Anyway. Good performance, Pogba. Still think we should sell him though.
When was the last time Rashford did anything significant for England?
 

edcunited1878

Full Member
Joined
Sep 3, 2014
Messages
8,935
Location
San Diego, CA
If you compare French team with United. The two key differences are, He plays beside Kante there and he has Mbappe up front. The rest of French side and United don't have that much of a difference.
What? Pavard is better going forward than AWB. They have a CB pairing that is easily better than United in Varane and Kimpembe. The midfield is balanced with a 3rd central mid. And he has Benzema up top with Griezmann kind of just floating. How's that not much of a difference?!
 

amolbhatia50k

Sneaky bum time - Vaccination status: dozed off
Joined
Nov 8, 2002
Messages
95,792
Location
india
If you compare French team with United. The two key differences are, He plays beside Kante there and he has Mbappe up front. The rest of French side and United don't have that much of a difference.
Wait what? Their CBs and defence in general is far better than ours. They are better managed than us. Rabiot at least based on yesterday is miles better than McFred. Benzema up top better than anyone we have. Griezmann as a support attacker leaving his Barcelona period aside is a top player. They have a RB who is actually decent on the ball. Plus they're a proper team.

Bit much to think just 2 players are the difference between the world champions and a team that's trophyless for 4 years.
 

Highfather_24

Full Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2014
Messages
2,725
When was the last time Rashford did anything significant for England?
Many players play better for their NT and thats dependent of many factors. Boiling it down to "doesnt care while playing for the club" is reductive and foolish.
 

Skills

Snitch
Joined
Jan 17, 2012
Messages
42,100
I've said for a while he's wasted his time at OT. He actually should be forcing his way out of the club, and his first choice should be Man City.

Stay in the league, the same city and prove how badly misused you were for 5-6 years by taking Man City up another level.
 

Jibbs

New Member
Joined
Apr 23, 2013
Messages
2,238
What? Pavard is better going forward than AWB. They have a CB pairing that is easily better than United in Varane and Kimpembe. The midfield is balanced with a 3rd central mid. And he has Benzema up top with Griezmann kind of just floating. How's that not much of a difference?!
I agree France is a more balanced and better managed team but player for player the major difference is Kante and Mbappe only. Add these two in United team and we can easily win the league next year. You can not say that about any other French player or more than one players.
 

gajender

Full Member
Joined
May 7, 2016
Messages
3,918
I've said for a while he's wasted his time at OT. He actually should be forcing his way out of the club, and his first choice should be Man City.

Stay in the league, the same city and prove how badly misused you were for 5-6 years by taking Man City up another level.
You aren't doing a good job of pretending to be supporter of Man United your cover would be blown if you continue in this vein .

Jokes apart we have clearly been unable to utilise Pogba to his full talent we never got the balance right in the midfield, mostly pairing Pogba with average players Like Herrera , Fred and over the hill Matic but I think it's time for Both Club and Player to move for their own sake .
 

VP89

Pogba's biggest fan
Joined
Dec 6, 2015
Messages
31,756
There is no building around anyone. Getting someone who compliments Pogba, isn't building around Pogba. Literally every team buys players that compliment the team. No player is being built around. If for example, United had Kante, would we be building around Kante by having Pogba? No. Same thing the other way around. If we get a CB, do we want someone as slow as Maguire? Would that count as building the team around Maguire? No. Would buying a LB with a left foot count as building around the left winger? No.

You need to stop thinking like that.
Are you reading my posts?
 

RedRonaldo

Wishes to be oppressed.
Joined
Aug 17, 2003
Messages
18,996
He was motm again for France, in Euro against Germany. We need to figure out quick how to utilize him properly. There must be a reason why he is always worldclass player for France but not for us.
 

Chicharo

Full Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2010
Messages
4,110
Location
Near Vida's hometown
It's easy. In the French team he has Kante to watch his back, and a fantastic defense, we on the other hand have a shitty defense and have to play 2 DMs (and we all know who unreliable they can be). Buy a proper DCM and a proper CB, and then Pogba and Bruno will do their magic and we can beat anyone.
I still don't believe that people want us to sell him...
 

Glorio

Full Member
Joined
Jun 16, 2020
Messages
4,604
I'm sure these players definitely do care for their club sides. A number of factors come into play like quality of your team mates, system you're playing in, and you can't ignore the fact that focus and motivation are easier to uphold in a tournament setting where there are fewer games over a short period of time (focusing intensely over 7/8 games where each win gets you closer to a historic trophy is different from keeping motivated for 38 games where you may end up out of the reckoning for the winner's price by the half way stage or earlier), also, players stay together away from home distractions.
 

BenitoSTARR

One Minute Man
Scout
Joined
Sep 1, 2015
Messages
13,685
France played Kante and Rabiot in a double pivot two defensively minded midfielders allowing their front 4 freedom of the attacking third. Pogba gets man of the match.

I wonder where have we seen a double pivot allow Pogba to thrive before?:rolleyes:
 

Vaibhav Raj

Full Member
Joined
Mar 14, 2016
Messages
585
France played Kante and Rabiot in a double pivot two defensively minded midfielders allowing their front 4 freedom of the attacking third. Pogba gets man of the match.

I wonder where have we seen a double pivot allow Pogba to thrive before?:rolleyes:
Kante and Rabiot are many folds better with the ball at their feet than Fred and Mctominay. They don't just defend and break down play. They were making themselves available for passes in tight spaces. They were carrying the ball or finding decent options well if pressed. Just because system is the same at United as it is for France doesn't mean we get to have the exact same performance at United.
 

Brwned

Have you ever been in love before?
Joined
Apr 18, 2008
Messages
50,849
I'm sure these players definitely do care for their club sides. A number of factors come into play like quality of your team mates, system you're playing in, and you can't ignore the fact that focus and motivation are easier to uphold in a tournament setting where there are fewer games over a short period of time (focusing intensely over 7/8 games where each win gets you closer to a historic trophy is different from keeping motivated for 38 games where you may end up out of the reckoning for the winner's price by the half way stage or earlier), also, players stay together away from home distractions.
Yeah I think the biggest thing for Pogba is the focus / motivation. He’s had a few imperious spells over 6-8 games for us then gets knocked off course. Tournament football makes it much simpler to get his head right, some people need simplicity to get in their groove.
 

jamesjimmybyrondean

Full Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2019
Messages
7,093
He's hinted a few times recently how to utilise him. Everybody knows too It's not rocket science (although some thinks all it takes is a DM).If we continue playing him at the double pivot next season he needs to be sold. I cant stand to see that talent wasted. For every good game he has at that double pivot, he would have been man of the match playing higher up the pitch
 

George the Cat

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Nov 7, 2020
Messages
202
You can spout off all day about how brilliant he is for France, the fact is he isn’t for us so he needs to be sold.
 

Focusmate

Full Member
Joined
Oct 11, 2018
Messages
364
Supports
Non League
He has so much talent - He is a great player for France. Such a shame he has basically dialled it in for most of his time at United. Im sure he will get his move sorted by January - and the circus will move on but I cant help feeling what might of been.
 

Mainoldo

New Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2004
Messages
22,965
I agree France is a more balanced and better managed team but player for player the major difference is Kante and Mbappe only. Add these two in United team and we can easily win the league next year. You can not say that about any other French player or more than one players.
I agree and disagree. Fred and Kante are pretty similar.. it’s the other guy that needs upgrading on.

Rashford and Mbappe. Yes Mbappe is a level above but Rashford is still good enough. We literally just need better tactics and someone that can do the Rabiot role better than Rabiot. Which isn’t hard to find.
 

Mainoldo

New Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2004
Messages
22,965
France played Kante and Rabiot in a double pivot two defensively minded midfielders allowing their front 4 freedom of the attacking third. Pogba gets man of the match.

I wonder where have we seen a double pivot allow Pogba to thrive before?:rolleyes:
They are not the same duo though are they. Also you might not of noticed but he’s not playing LW;)
 

JPRouve

can't stop thinking about balls - NOT deflategate
Scout
Joined
Jan 31, 2014
Messages
65,956
Location
France
France played Kante and Rabiot in a double pivot two defensively minded midfielders allowing their front 4 freedom of the attacking third. Pogba gets man of the match.

I wonder where have we seen a double pivot allow Pogba to thrive before?:rolleyes:
France currently doesn't play with a double pivot. Rabiot and Pogba play similar roles on each sides of a flat three man midfield and Pogba does his defensive job as a regular CM.
 

Godfather

Full Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2007
Messages
29,966
Location
Austria
Bruno doesn't need to adapt to shit because he's not the problem. You don't take your best assets just to "do a job" in midfield. That's not how competing works.

Pogba was v v good today, as he is for France frequently in tournaments. He was the most advanced central midfielder who can't play in the same position for us because there's a better player ahead of him. It's that simple.
Let's wait and see how Bruno continues next season. I'm a huge fan but he was pretty wank the last months of the season. Probably fatigued though.
What I mean is that it might benefit the team if we manage to get both in the line up. Especially against deep sitting sides. We'd need a really good DM for that and better CBs.
 

Red00012

Full Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2018
Messages
12,282
Rashford also plays better for the NT. Are we doubting his motivation for Utd?

Some players play better for their NT. As for Pogba, yes he plays better for France. Maybe that has something to do with with playing with Kante/Tolisso over McFred? The way you guys do mental gymnastics to justify not praising a good performance, it seems like y'all are talking about a opposition player

Anyway. Good performance, Pogba. Still think we should sell him though.
He’s so good for his NT he can’t get on it :lol:
 

VP89

Pogba's biggest fan
Joined
Dec 6, 2015
Messages
31,756
Let's wait and see how Bruno continues next season. I'm a huge fan but he was pretty wank the last months of the season. Probably fatigued though.
What I mean is that it might benefit the team if we manage to get both in the line up. Especially against deep sitting sides. We'd need a really good DM for that and better CBs.
We don't need to wait for anything. Bruno is our best option as the most advanced midfielder.
 

Red00012

Full Member
Joined
Jan 18, 2018
Messages
12,282
France currently doesn't play with a double pivot. Rabiot and Pogba play similar roles on each sides of a flat three man midfield and Pogba does his defensive job as a regular CM.
Correct and all 3 are able / have the ability to attack while one of them holds the centre .
 

Andersons Dietician

Full Member
Joined
Jun 14, 2016
Messages
13,244
It is interesting watching France to see why he just seems better for them or just how it works. Watching last night just to see what they do different.

— I’d generally say they play 4 CB’s
_ Kante although many similar attributes to Fred just seemed to casually know where to be at any moment. Fred seems more frantic and sprinting all over the shop to put out fires.
-Griezman and I think he might be one of the main reasons Pogba works so well. The amount of work he put in defensively and making himself available for a pass or an option.

Just have far better players who know what they have to do and play in a much better and more organised fashion than we at United do.
 

Leftback99

Might have a bedwetting fetish.
Joined
Jan 11, 2015
Messages
14,490
Hopefully some good displays will get us a buyer for a decent amount this summer. I can't see him staying at this point.
 

amolbhatia50k

Sneaky bum time - Vaccination status: dozed off
Joined
Nov 8, 2002
Messages
95,792
Location
india
It is interesting watching France to see why he just seems better for them or just how it works. Watching last night just to see what they do different.

— I’d generally say they play 4 CB’s
_ Kante although many similar attributes to Fred just seemed to casually know where to be at any moment. Fred seems more frantic and sprinting all over the shop to put out fires.
-Griezman and I think he might be one of the main reasons Pogba works so well. The amount of work he put in defensively and making himself available for a pass or an option.

Just have far better players who know what they have to do and play in a much better and more organised fashion than we at United do.
Yes, they're better coached/organised than us and have better players. Adding to that, Pogba is a player who has clear weaknesses that are more highlighted when his team doesn't have that, given he's tactically a bit of a challenge.
 

Dan_F

Full Member
Joined
Dec 17, 2012
Messages
10,416
France currently doesn't play with a double pivot. Rabiot and Pogba play similar roles on each sides of a flat three man midfield and Pogba does his defensive job as a regular CM.
This. I don’t know how anyone can watch last night and think it was a double pivot. It was a flat three, with Kante pressing forward ahead of Rabiot and Pogba, who could then squeeze narrower when needed.

That system would not work the same with Rice lying as a deeper midfielder, because it would then leave Pogba needing to press, who clearly isn’t going to get back into shape quick enough (like in a double pivot).

I don’t know what the solution is for United, but it’s not as simple as buy a Kante, as Kante is not a traditional sitting DM.
 

M16Red

Full Member
Joined
Oct 24, 2011
Messages
3,209
Yep. This is so clearly the primary difference. He likes to play football at his own pace, dwell on the ball, take plenty of touches. But the Premier League doesn't allow it. International level he gets that bit of extra time and the talent shows.

He's not the first gifted player to be like this and won't be the last. I thought the same of Veron. Scholes could do everything he could but did it two seconds faster. At times I felt the same of Nani.
Yep, Nani did stop before a take on. A bit like Rashford at the moment, I hope Rashford gets that driving moments back soon as he like Pogba is a very very good player.

I wrote the same comment about Veron a few pages back, but i think the pressing is even more intense now, than it was back then..
 

jamesjimmybyrondean

Full Member
Joined
Feb 26, 2019
Messages
7,093
He does perform better for France but he has everything set up perfectly for him there. World class players around, playin in a better midfield set up, and only for a few games which makes him motivated and focused more consistently
 
Last edited:

villain

Hates Beyoncé
Joined
Apr 22, 2014
Messages
14,973
He’s a genuinely world class level player, one of only a few in our squad and we’ve wasted his time here with dross in midfield.
If he renews, it will be as good as a new signing - but we can’t rest on our laurels, we simply need a better midfield. McFred is not going to win us titles & cups.
Sure, they can do the dirty work against the better teams in the league, but the irony of recognising this fact is accepting that we aren’t the best team in the league.

We need a DM, Pogba & Bruno can play alongside - Bruno drops deeper all the time anyway, we just need an anchor back there.

If Pogba doesn’t renew, who can blame him?
 

Ecstatic

Cutie patootie!
Joined
Nov 26, 2015
Messages
13,787
Supports
PsG
The debate is not just about motivation or quality of his teammates.

If the idea is to compare what Pogba did in the last 12 months for MUFC and what he is doing with France, then it's worth saying that 2020 was a difficult year because:
  • He had a serious ankle injury
  • He did contract the Covid so he started the season tired and needed time to find his rhythm
Then, there are other considerations:
  • Cultural ones - There are several French players who think alike so he really feels at home
  • Pressure - shared with other super stars like Mbappe, Benzema and Kante. These 3 players make other players better.
  • Coaching - Difficult relationship with Mourinho that limited his personal development at MUFC
I really rate and like Pogba but in a formula 1, he won't be the engine, more the hydraulic system for a servo steering if this analogy makes sense to you... This means that he can easily make a good team very great, but this would be more difficult for him to make an average team very good.

My two cents obviously but clearly football needs atypical players like him.
 
Last edited:

Dec9003

Correctly predicted Portugal to win Euro 2016
Joined
Jul 31, 2015
Messages
9,038
I don’t think it’s fair to say he’s amazing for France and rubbish for us. He’s played well this season and we dropped off massively when he got injured. It’s something that probably held more truth under Mourinho, under Ole he’s tended to do much better.
 

Adamsk7

Full Member
Joined
Aug 17, 2014
Messages
2,709
I don’t think it’s fair to say he’s amazing for France and rubbish for us. He’s played well this season and we dropped off massively when he got injured. It’s something that probably held more truth under Mourinho, under Ole he’s tended to do much better.
It’s a different sort of good though. For France there is no doubt in mind that he tries harder. For whatever reason, he sprints for balls, puts himself about more and acts like his life depends on winning. At Utd, I hardly ever see that but of course he’s a great player so he will still do very good things. It’s a hunger thing and at Utd I never see the same desire that I do for France. Maybe he just really loves international football and his country, who knows.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.