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

[hungrywing]

SAF used to say that most people don’t recognise that being hard working is a talent. And that statement holds true today. When the conversation veers towards talented players - or in this case “hugely talented” - it inevitably focuses on players of high technical ability. But if one ever reframes the perception of what “talented” really means and gives equal weighting compared to technical ability, to attributes such as mental fitness, consistent application, and hard work; then Pobga really doesn’t fit the description of being “hugely talented” anymore. Instead he becomes viewed as what he actually is: a mediocre player in terms of real world effectiveness, who possesses some eye catching technical qualities that sporadically result in an impressive highlights reel.

Holding onto this notion that he is a superb talent is what has prevented a ruthless analysis of his performances and perpetuated his central role in the team under successive managers. It’s what led to his signing in the first place.

Consider the excessive weighting given to his relative mastery of some advanced skills - long range passing, vision, flair moves - and then contextualise them alongside his lack of proficiency in the more fundamental attributes of his position - tackling, bravery, work rate, decision making, short range passing, positioning, and teamwork - the basics for a midfielder, and you have to ask yourself ‘hugely talented at what exactly?’

Whenever I think of it in these terms, I not only come to the conclusion that he’d be my 5th choice midfielder at the club, but that the honest assessment of him is that he’s just not very good. Once I grasped that, I wondered why on earth I held on so long waiting for him to “come good”; and it’s because all the things he’s good at, are the things that are most rare and coveted in a player. But that desire assumes all the key fundamentals are in place and those skills are his differentiator. Not with Pogba.

He’s the emerald city built on quick sand. All gravy and no meat. The icing without the cake. A CGI blockbuster with no storyline. If he was a movie he’d be Prometheus; amazing trailer, damp squib of a film. If he was a porn star, he’d have the biggest dick on set, but no balls to give him an erection.

He’s so deeply, fundamentally flawed for the professional role he was acquired for, that he should be analytically viewed as perhaps the worst signing in our history.

tl;dr: He's rubbish

Yep. (btw it's a good idea for the above post to be bumped/quoted once per two weeks until he's gone)

Add to that he was/is an on-pitch/locker-room extension of Woodward's deeply narcissistic tendencies, and for reasons already posted before, his was/is the worst contract given to a player during the Woodward years.

 

[Marcus]

May I predict what is going to happen?
1. United will finally decide to sell him in January.
2. Pogba and his agent will feign outrage and shock and declare that Pogba wants to play for United and extend his contract.
3. Pogba leaves on a free again so that he and his agent get a bigger pay-out from another club.

 

[::sonny::]

Watch and learn

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[GDaly95]

Raiola sounds very desperate here.

I honestly think he might come crawling back to us in order to get the money they're after and I think it'd be a mistake for us to give it to them.

 

[Nordmore]

Raiola sounds very desperate here.

I honestly think he might come crawling back to us in order to get the money they're after and I think it'd be a mistake for us to give it to them.

I'm pretty sure we'll make that mistake though. Really hope Rangnick would have a say here.

 

[Hugh Jass]

I am not his biggest fan, but i think Rangnick could use him, as he is our one midfielder that can pass it forward.

 

[The United]

I am not his biggest fan, but i think Rangnick could use him, as he is our one midfielder that can pass it forward.

Rangnick would proably like to use a younger and hungrier player who can contribute defensive work and pass the ball forward. That player does not even need to be as talented as Pogba.

 

[tomaldinho1]

I am not his biggest fan, but i think Rangnick could use him, as he is our one midfielder that can pass it forward.

I think RR just looks at him and sees an injury prone player who is nearly 29 and has had his work ethic in games non stop questioned since arriving here. Unless he signs a new deal he’ll get no real game time. Ole was way too close emotionally to him, RR won’t give a feck.

 

[Hugh Jass]

I think RR just looks at him and sees an injury prone player who is nearly 29 and has had his work ethic in games non stop questioned since arriving here. Unless he signs a new deal he’ll get no real game time. Ole was way too close emotionally to him, RR won’t give a feck.

Yea Ole was too nice. Should really have got rid of him when he said he wanted to leave. Dont know why he persisted in playing him.

 

[holdsteady]

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Rangnick's Red Army

 

[Giggsyking]

Bye bye Paul

 

[bosnian_red]

Rangnick is definitely planning to get rid. Thank God. Guy is getting to the age where he signs a fat contract and does feck all and you're stuck paying it for an injury prone declining player. Ralf clearly sees that.

 

[::sonny::]

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[Red_toad]

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Liking the way Ralf thinks, United are a massive club and an awful lot of players would walk over hot coals to play here, shame we've a few entitled players who think that they're a big fish here.

 

[Tragically Hip]

It's a guarantee that he never plays in a United shirt again, and this is a very good thing for the club's future.

 

[smi11ie]

Totally fed up of the Pogba/Riola circus. Ralf is bang on about Pogba's contract. In fact I feel certain that Ralf would be happy to get rid, it would free up wages that he could give to a proper proffesional footballer.

 

[Maluco]

He will be remembered as a symbol of a messy, lazy and disorganized era in the clubs history. Far too many underwhelming players picking up far too much money to play for coaches who should have never been in the job.

Pogba is the face of that era.

Let’s focus on the players who really want to be here.

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

He seems awfully more disposable more than ever with Rangnick here. I remember during Oles tenure you'd always get some posters and there used to be one in particular, they'd always talk about how he's irreplaceable and our best midfielder. Now I haven't seen any of that

 

[Ace of Spades]

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Now that is what I like to hear.

Time to trim the fat in the squad.

 

[Escobar]

Ok bye

 

[CanadianUtd]

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…..what a way to fecking bring some standards back to the club and not give a shit about begging and pleading to any player regardless of who it is. And this is coming from a Pogba fan. Just a great way to set the record straight for all current players at the club and any future players + said agents.

No more having to offer outrageous £300k+ wages just to retain players that aren’t keen on staying. This is the United way. SAF will be most definitely proud. He had a similar standard and used it with players that are many times the player/talent and fame of any current players on the team. This is proper authority and respect for the club, simple as that. In the past, if players felt they were special like on some sort of pedestal with management/managers having to cater to them — it won’t be the case anymore. They can pack their ego and their bags because no more such treatment will be had. Things will be laid out straight with Rangnick spearheading the club and it’ll be as simple as agreeing to be on board or see yourself at the door.

Loving this!!!

 

[Judge Red]

Pogba was Ole’s boss.

 

[GueRed]

And to think a lot fans were advocating Pogba to be captain and the team to 'built around him' a couple of years ago

Mourinho was right about Pogba and Martial. Top talents but inconsistent and flakey as feck.
Both should've been binned off shortly after Mourinho's departure IMO.

Anyway good riddance...
Sparing a thought for the most toxic fans within our fanbase the Pogba and Martial Fan Clubs. Hope they bin themselves off too

 

[royboy16]

How to you like them Apples.

 

[MiracleInMadrid]

"If a player does not want to play for a club like Manchester United medium or long-term, I don't think it makes sense to convince him to change his mind."

THANK YOU RALF! About time someone says this in public.

I really look forward to seeing the Pogba-circus leaving town. It's crucial though, that his place in the squad and the wage we free up is used on a quality and long-term solution in midfield.

 

[Judas]

Very telling quotes and fair enough, can’t really argue with them at all.

 

[Thiagoal]

"If a player does not want to play for a club like Manchester United medium or long-term, I don't think it makes sense to convince him to change his mind."

THANK YOU RALF! About time someone says this in public.

I really look forward to seeing the Pogba-circus leaving town. It's crucial though, that his place in the squad and the wage we free up is used on a quality and long-term solution in midfield.

Hopefully we can offload in January although I think it’s highly unlikely as fat man will want a cut of his free transfer

 

[Beans]

Raiola sounds very desperate here.

I honestly think he might come crawling back to us in order to get the money they're after and I think it'd be a mistake for us to give it to them.

At this point I'm completely relaxed. If he can adapt to play the way RR wants then he'll be extremely valuable. If he can't, or won't (I'm not sure he wants to work that hard), then we don't need the distraction, and inconsistent performances.

 

[Josep Dowling]

Based on Raiola’s recent comments I think it’s clear the club have told Pogba to go elsewhere, which is fantastic news. I don’t even want Haaland if that circus of an agent is involved with the club again. Finally we have a proper manager who realises the importance of the team, rather than individual talent. Pogba doesn’t fit into our team anymore, and hasn’t done for 5 years. How many times have we changed formation to accommodate him only to find it doesn’t work.

 

[Lemon Moon]

Hope we don't swap the Pogba circus for the Haaland circus! Riola players should be left alone. Let them go to Madrid.

 

[zenith]

Just Gtf out of my club pogba. Don't want any of his nonsense at my club. He's not that talented also that he carries. Man has lesser talent than the likes of Scholes but more entitlement than Messi

 

[Jeppers7]

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…..what a way to fecking bring some standards back to the club and not give a shit about begging and pleading to any player regardless of who it is. And this is coming from a Pogba fan. Just a great way to set the record straight for all current players at the club and any future players + said agents.

No more having to offer outrageous £300k+ wages just to retain players that aren’t keen on staying. This is the United way. SAF will be most definitely proud. He had a similar standard and used it with players that are many times the player/talent and fame of any current players on the team. This is proper authority and respect for the club, simple as that. In the past, if players felt they were special like on some sort of pedestal with management/managers having to cater to them — it won’t be the case anymore. They can pack their ego and their bags because no more such treatment will be had. Things will be laid out straight with Rangnick spearheading the club and it’ll be as simple as agreeing to be on board or see yourself at the door.

Loving this!!!

Absoluutely fecking spot on Ralf. Finally a manager who knows how to manage and understands it’s club first, team first…..then the individuals can flourish

 

[captaincantona]

What is most impressive is how that statement will make the rest of the team feel...they will know that Pogba will not just waltz back in to the first team like he would have under Ole. They will feel like hard work at training will get them a shot and they will feel they are not here as the finished article...that they can improve. Talking about improving the players we have and focusing on the team and not individuals...this guy is such a breath of fresh air. Let’s hope he can walk the walk...

 

[Jeppers7]

What is most impressive is how that statement will make the rest of the team feel...they will know that Pogba will not just waltz back in to the first team like he would have under Ole. They will feel like hard work at training will get them a shot and they will feel they are not here as the finished article...that they can improve. Talking about improving the players we have and focusing on the team and not individuals...this guy is such a breath of fresh air. Let’s hope he can walk the walk...

It’s refreshing to hear…it’s crazy looking back under Ole, players could have 12 months of poor form and know they’re playing next game anyway. They’re was no reward for training performances either….so you’re either in or you’re out. No wonder we ended up in a mess.

 

[MattofManchester]

It's really refreshing to hear Rangnick say what I've been thinking for 2 years.

If he doesn't want to fecking be here, then let him go.

We are a massive club, and if any player cannot respect or buy into that, then they don't belong here.

 

[Water Melon]

Reads like it is curtains for Pogba at United, unless he plays out of his skin, improves his consistency and signs a new contract on our terms. He is very likely gone with the wind of change.

 

[Catt]

Based on Raiola’s recent comments I think it’s clear the club have told Pogba to go elsewhere, which is fantastic news. I don’t even want Haaland if that circus of an agent is involved with the club again. Finally we have a proper manager who realises the importance of the team, rather than individual talent. Pogba doesn’t fit into our team anymore, and hasn’t done for 5 years. How many times have we changed formation to accommodate him only to find it doesn’t work.

May I ask what Raiola said?

 

[AndySmith1990]

I am really liking Rangnick, he doesn't beat around the bush or worry about upsetting anybodies fragile ego. He just says it like it is whilst remaining respectful and professional. Good on him for those Pogba comments, we shouldn't be asking anybody to stay at our club if they're not committed, least not a lazy egotistical social media celebrity like Pogba.

Hopefully the club brings in a "no Raiola" policy once we're rid of all his players. I don't care if we miss out on Haaland or whoever else, that man is vile.

 

[Max_United]

Raiola sounds very desperate here.

I honestly think he might come crawling back to us in order to get the money they're after and I think it'd be a mistake for us to give it to them.

Yes, reading between the lines it sounds that the level of interest that they expected is just not there (I mean he basically said that he touted him to Bayern but they have no interest). And it is not really surprising. He is 29 in a few months, had quite a few injuries over the last years, very inconsistent at United. For all his ability it is a huge risk to give him a sizeable long contract now. With his salary demands he always had very limited options, probably only PSG and RM now, and it is not certain they would be that interested, they could offer a contract but I do not think they would give him crazy money/signing on fee, as he would not be a "get-at-all-costs" priority as he could have been 3 years ago.

I really like him as a player and wanted him to succeed but it is time to go. Ralf might be overruled from above on him, but I hope he won't. Financially no way should we give him e.g. a 4 year deal on 300k+. Too much risk of him becoming our Bale.