Good post, agree with almost everything. Including the criticism of Pogba, bar the bolded bit (the shot).
It was on his left foot and he was quickly getting closed down. Mkhi's shot in the first half, he had more time than Pog to measure that one up, yet he also skewed that wide. No scathing criticism of Mkhi for that, why? Because it's unrealistic to expect people to bury a shot outside the box on their wrong foot.
So let's keep the criticism of Pogba on what he actually should have done better. Closing down Kante for that shot, not losing the ball at the edge of the box, picking some simple pass options when they were there, etc.
Ta. Yes I am being proper harsh I know.
For the shot, it's more the context of the time in the match; With Mikhi he should have done better with his sighter, but it's well early on with 11 men.
With Pogba, his overall performance lacked tactical leadership; I've seen him play much better for Juve. Seems to be playing at 70-80 percent. Possibly needs a rest. At the moment he lacks a cutting edge and uses his gangly legs and pace too often to get him out of trouble. He doesn't seem to be thinking. He's going through the motions and hasn't yet shown me he can control and help shape a match consistently here at the crunch end for us. Keane/Scholes/Carrick have shown this in 10 man teams and 11 man teams. He is young, I really like him as a player and feel he could be one of our greatest midfielders ever but he needs to work to improve his "Auto-Pilot Level," and his "Grab the match by the scruff of the neck, F-This" level.
Rojo, as brash as he was, seemed to have more impetus in this match. Pogba looked defeated.
That shot I mentioned: drew more ire from me because from my recollection, he had other options but he took the shot with that foot and snatched at it. That's his decision. Feel he went to placement rather than power at that range. Make the goalie work, or choose a better option. Debatable and I'm probably wrong. Not seen it again.
I'll maintain my point about passing options; Has to do better at ball retention and picking the right pass; He is our Main Midfielder. We're United.
You are first choice. Set an example.
I'll leave you with Mourinho's comments:
"Pogba was a giant"
Remember when Fellaini made that awful mistake against Everton that cost us a win?
Mourinho straight away went and bigged him up publicly. Probably got decked behind the scenes by Mourinho when we know how high a standard he demands.
I feel this is the same here, with Mourinho using his Fergie-Esque psychology techniques; Essentially protecting Pogba in public, giving him trust and confidence in public but I am certain he was singled out, because he will be the one getting the hairdryer treatment by Mourinho who knows just how much effort and nous the whole team put in when we went down to 10 men and how relatively below par he was.
I could be horribly wring. I mean I'm someone who still think Schweini could have been involved and should be used far more!
