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

Interesting article on Pogba and how United can get the very best of him.

www.squawka.com/news/every-position-paul-pogba-can-play-and-which-one-he-should-master-at-manchester-united/915033

Definitely puts in perspective his level of performance this season and while clearly more is expected from him personally, luck hasn't been completely on his side either. And ultimately, he's been far from the bust some seem so eager to make him out to be...

 

Excellent piece, Ashur.

Lots to think about, but this caught my eye:

Compared with his previous seasons in Italy, the midfielder is actually creating more chances per game. However, United are ranked 18th in the league for converting their chances, and rock bottom as the worst side in the division for putting away so-called “big chances”; those goalscoring opportunities where a player should be reasonably expected to score due to being in a one-on-one scenario or from close range.​

We know that already, but it can't be emphasized enough that we're creating enough "big chances". Problem is...well, we know what the problem is.

Somehow, some way, we're going to return to the Champions League next season. No surprise here, but I suspect it will be through the EL but maybe it will be through a T4 finish. Either way, with CL back on our calendar next season United will be a more attractive proposition to top players like Griezmann this summer. It will be really interesting to see whether, or how, Jose can integrate Antoine, Anthony and Paul together. If Paul gets the "freedom" that would suit him best how does Jose work that out with Antoine and Anthony (not suggesting by any means that it's impossible)? Does Rashford toil for another season behind all these illustrious starters? Do we give Carrick another season? Herrera is a nailed on starter, but what would be his role? And the role of Blind, who's a somewhat underappreciated player by Jose (although it may be that I overappreciate him and foolishly value his potential contribution as a midfielder).

Anyway, it's an excellent article and worth the quick read. Thanks, Ashur!

 

And Herrera beats him in most stats.

 

Do more.

 

Pogba will learn. Not just to be more influential over 90 minutes. He will learn to be a complete player. We need to stop selling him short.

Happy Birthday!


Jose is right people are jealous of him. Why else would they criticize him for irrelevant things like his hair cut, his dancing and his active social media standing?

 

this is reason why 'ratings' should always be taken with a teaspoon of sugar.

herrera has been far better than pogba this year. not even in the same class bracket.

 

I posted it for the stats in general.

The only stat that's higher for Kante is his passing percentage and that can be accounted for by the fact that Pogba's role requires him to make higher risk passing attempts, as reflected in his key passes and through-balls stats.

Herrera - the closer of the two to Kante's role - has (as Syed pointed out) far better stats and is contributing significantly more on the attacking end and is on par defensively with slightly fewer tackles per game and more interception.

Both United players are actually making significantly more passes per game on average, which also adds a bit more weight to their success rates than Kante's.

 

The setup is failing the midfield, I do not why we tend to use a 2 man midfield. Also there are no outlets for our midfield, take Martial out and we have nothing. The whole RW is an empty block.

 

I'd like to the stats on games where Carrick, Herrera, Pogba and Miki have all started, which I'm guessing is only about 10-12 games. Goals scored, big chances created, total percentage possession, total passes...probably a pretty decent number.

Returning to the obvious, our problem this season has been poor finishing, which includes Pogba's poor finishing as well. Clean that up to an acceptable standard where in second or third place at worst and suddenly there isn't as much hand-wringing over the play of our midfielders.

(Ashur, mancunian says hello!)

 

I think he's declined over the last 2 months. Could be tiredness. Could be pressure. I don't know, but he's strength on the ball, and confidence going forward seems to have deserted him..especially over the last few games.

 

Fatigue has indeed gotten to Pogs. He's young and in fantastic condition, but he needs a break. Not sure when he's gonna get it though.

 

We don't have the personnel to play a three man midfield consistently. Carrick can't play every game and the quality in that position drops off a cliff when you look at who's on the bench.

 

We can try Blind ?

 

Remember when I said that in the match thread against Rostov and you were like but he is young and everything.

 

I agree he should be given a chance there. I think he'd do well enough that a rotation of him and Carrick would work. But Jose seems to think he's best used as a LB even though he's exposed there because he's slower than dirt.

 

I'd love this. It isn't perfect but it is far better than the 2 man shit heap we get.

 

For the sake of Pogba alone and have him deployed in his favoured role, it would be worth it. And that's even before we get to what Blind could provide in that role with his passing and vision as well.

 

So it appears to be a hamstring for Pogba. Best case scenario, he's out 10 days to 2wks and at the other end of the spectron, could be up to a month depending how severe it is.
The silver lining I guess is that he'll be getting that much needed rest he's needed. But it really should come as no surprise at all: he looked tired and today his muscle let him know as well...

 

I don't recall that but I'll take your word for it.

Pogba is "young and everything" but he's not Superman. His minutes need to be monitored closely like everyone else. A game off would do him wonders.