Ignore the blah, blah, blah - the Paul Pogba thread

Really, the more I think about it, it was genius to play Pogba in the double pivot because it provided a buffer between he and Griezmann. Harder for them to get in each other's way.

 

In more ways than one, Griezmann is the one that is hard to accommodate. Even Barca, with their resources find it hard to get the best out of him. Strange because a) he's very clearly immensely talented b) his areas of expertise are perfect for synergy w/ several role players at the club.

 

Pogba on United's Academy and his personal experience there.

https://www.manutd.com/en/news/deta...n-united-academy-and-the-400-game-celebration

 

I wonder how much they paid him to do that interview

 

His words means horseshi8 to me..

 

Raiola says Pogba wants to stay but that he needs some help

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/footbal...a-wants-stay-manchester-united-needs-support/

I hate the fat ******** but he’s not wrong. I don’t believe him that Pogba wants to stay but either way we need to either get a commitment from him this summer or just leave. Because we’re rebuilding our midfield this summer and him staying means different types of players brought in to support him.

 

Pogba, via Raiola is putting the pressure on Woodward and I like that part. The onus is not on Pogs to commit to United: despite everything that happened, he's shown his commitment (via his professionalism) to the club.
And it really goes deeper than that anyway but at the same time, the club has clearly failed in building a good team around him. Ole has always made it clear how central Pogba is to his plans as well.
So in the end, the ball is in Woodward's court to fulfill the pledge he presumably made to Pogs when he brought him back and build a team fit for his talent and one that can compete in relatively short order for the highest trophies.
He essentially has another 3yrs left on his contract (another 2, plus an option for another) and he can adopt a wait and see approach if he wants to. Still has a lot of power and it's up to the club and Woodward to produce and finally show him he needs to stay at the club, not the other way around.

 

You hope we're rebuilding our midfield this summer...

 

This is true, but I'll settle for getting rid of Young and Matic.

 

And Rojo.

 

And Chaz

 

I would say you’ll never get rid of me, but I have no interest in venturing into the bumfvck ozarks to find some special needs diabetic in a basement. So, you will be rid of me. One day.

 

My gated community doesn't allow bottom feeders like you anyway.

 

First time I've heard someone call prison a gated community. Tell yourself whatever lies you need to Peanut Butter Falcon.

 

I thought we’ve been over this. I’m white, privileged, make a lot of money, and look down on peasants like you. In turn, you call me a red neck as a coping mechanism to being inferior. Is that not what we’re doing?

 

All this is actually encouraging.

Just a little

 

He’s only got 1 plus an option after this year.

 

My mistake, it is 1+1 indeed. The overarching point that Pogba does hold more power than we may think, still stands (particularly with the club clearly desperate for him to stay).
Really thought it was it for him and he'd be leaving in the summer. Still need to see how things will ultimately bear out, but Raiola's comments today (obviously made at Pogba's behest) offer us and the club as a whole, a glimmer of hope (provided Woodward and the board answer in kind over the next 2 windows).

 

Ole on Paul Pogba:

• "Top bloke with a heart of gold."
• "He's a fantastic player, a charismatic personality."
• "No one can doubt his professionalism."
• "One of the best midfielders in the world."
• "We want to see him playing his best football at #mufc."

👉🏿🤴🏿👈🏿 pic.twitter.com/uMA9nJrl22

— Robbo (@utdrobbo) December 22, 2019

Great to have 'la Pioche' back. What he did in just 25mins and change:
-90% pass accuracy
-2 passes into the box
-2/2 shots on target
-2 ball recoveries
-2/2 long balls
-1 through ball
-1 key pass

 

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/50887954

Couldn't agree more with Crouch: absolutely spot on in his analysis. Playing in a 4-3-3, as we did predominantly when Ole first got the job a yr ago, is the best way to get the best out of Pogs (and the team in the process).
Playing him as a 10 is far too restrictive in terms of his sphere of influence on the pitch (his passing from deep is really a major asset). Deploy him in a free role in a mid 3 and watch him flourish.

Paul Pogba vs Watford. 26 minutes of class
https://t.co/gdNtCbDo4b

— TJ (@CohleRust11) December 22, 2019

That performance today tells the whole story.