I love how If you point out any negatives in Pogba's game you "want him gone" or are a "hater" or you are "trashing our best most creative player". When in fact most of the time none of those realities are true. I like Pogba as a personality he seems like a good guy, a nice guy. He is funny, and I imagine would be fun to play and train with. I think he is an immensely talented as a player, but the truth is there are things he does on the pitch (and off for that matter) that annoy me to no end. And these things are highlighted when United is not winning.
Namely his lack of urgency, and the fact that he just can't be bothered sometimes. You rarely see him sacrificing himself in the form of hustle and fight. and YES - This is a laziness/mentality issue. And its not up for debate. Its real. It is Something that can be proven with statistics as well as the eyeball test. but me pointing that out doesn't mean i want him gone or a i don't recognize, not only his ability and importance but his potential as well. What it means is that I can't stand watching a player loose possession of a ball, go flatfooted and stand there and then watch as the guy that took it springs into action, only to go jogging back into position getting there just in time for the other team to create an opportunity. It infuriates me. This willingness to fight and hustle is not just asked but flat out demanded from players with a fraction of his talent, yet because he is a World Cup winner and the most naturally gifted player on the squad who is struggling HE should get a pass? That's just not reality. I tell my son every week in his academy games NEVER be comfortable letting another player do YOUR hardwork for you, if you loose possession you track back with venom. When You have to defend you do it with discipline.
I don't want Pogba gone. I want Pogba to play better and more consistently. I want him to change his attitude. The frustrations come from the fact that his limitations on the pitch have nothing to do with his physical attributes. He is extremely gifted. Great feet, pace, strength, passing range, dribble, massive physique etc. His limitations are down to the moments when he chooses to work for the team and when he simply can't be bothered. And whether his team mates are as equally talented as him as Nothing to do with that. In his defense I see a lot of "whataboutism". And what I mean by that is defending Paul Pogba by pointing out that the players around him have limitations. This simply doesn't stand up. Pogba's game is Pogba's game and Lindgard lacking the ability to finish, or Matic being an Oak Tree, or Lukaku having literal bricks for feet has absolutely nothing to do with Pogba losing possession in the final 3rd and then slowly jogging back into the picture just in time to be part of the newly building attack again. None of these things have anything to do with each other and they all stand up for criticism on their own. I keep reading these horrible self loathing fanboy comments about how "poor old world class Pogba is surrounded by shit" and how sorry people feel for him. F that noise - I'm sorry but i don't buy into it. This kid could be a GOD at Old Trafford.
ELITE/World Class players don't simply play for them. they make their team mates batter. an Elite player is a player that understands not only his own abilities and short comings and how to be successful within them, but also those of his team mates as well and is willing to do whatever needs to be done within that framework to make the team successful. And as absolutely gifted as Paul is, I don't see that in him - not on a consistent basis anyway, whether he just doesn't understand that? or doesn't think on that level, He isn't there yet. It's like this. Pogba knows that in attack if he uses a through ball from deep, or a long ball and puts Rashford in the position to run a ball down in the channel, Rashford is fast, hungry, and he will get there. If he plays the ball to Martial on the wing Pogba almost ALWAYS drops into support, because he knows Martial is going to try to dribble in and that's where he needs to be for either the lay off, or when Martial loses possession. He should also have the same understanding with the defensive aspect of the game. that Matic due to his lack of speed and immobility can't mark multiple players at the same time. So if you loose the ball and aren't getting back putting in work we are going to eventually fall short. you bust your ass and you go help because it makes the TEAM better when you do. Pogba for all intents and purposes with all of his gifts is not consistently willing to make that type of sacrifice for his team.
And when you factor his fat slimeball agent and the constant stories that he wants to leave and is being shopped around Europe, stories that NO ONE in camp Pogba does ANYTHING to silence or deny. The guy is seriously frustrating.
YES WE NEED POGBA, he is strong, intelligent, can pass, shoot and dribble, I've run down the list before. NO We wouldn't be "better" without him. but we also need Pogba to grow up, step up, and take the badge on the front as seriously as he does the name on the back. and NO he isn't the only player in this lineup that has that issue. he is however the most gifted, decorated, and expensive one and that is simply the reality comes with his position in the game, united and life in general. I know if he is that miserable he can come sit in my cubical for 55 hours a week and I'd happily bust a lung till i puked for United. (of course he would get fired from my job and wouldn't be good enough for his but that's a different post all together)