Pogba has Jose’s men firing again
MOURINHO’S TEAM HAVE MISSED HIS SILKY SKILLS Huge relief at Old Trafford as Zlatan also returns.
He does not yet share team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s cult status, but Paul Pogba’s display on his comeback from injury showed his importance to Manchester United is second to none.
Having toiled in Pogba’s absence, recently taking four points from a possible 12 in the Premier League, United rediscovered their swagger against Newcastle United last Saturday when the Frenchman made his return.
With a goal and an assist in a 4-1 comeback win, Pogba was the man of the match and his overall display helped United find a level they have struggled to reach during his two-month absence.
“He affects our football,” summarised United manager Jose Mourinho.
“We all know that certain players influence the levels of the team. With him we have much more creation.”
Though he has often dazzled with his long-legged technical artistry, the recognition of Pogba’s influence on United’s play has been slow in coming.
His then world-record £89.3 million transfer from Juventus last year created huge expectations and although his first season was successful, there were few fireworks.
Pogba finished the season with nine goals in 51 appearances and winner’s medals in both the League Cup and Europa League, his goal in the final of the latter setting United en route to victory over Ajax.
But he could not compete with Ibrahimovic, whose goal-scoring feats and larger-than-life persona immediately made him a favourite with the Old Trafford faithful.
United’s fans had invented a song for Ibrahimovic – their “Swedish hero” – before he had even made his official debut.
Anthony Martial, too, is regularly serenaded, but Pogba is still waiting for an ode in his honour.
With Ibrahimovic sidelined by an injury of his own, Pogba took centre-stage in the opening weeks of the current campaign as United made an impressive start.
Yet it was only during the period of absence brought on by the hamstring injury Pogba sustained against Basel on September 12 that his importance began to be truly acknowledged.
With Pogba in the team, United have scored 16 goals in five Premier League games this season, at an average of 3.2 per game.
When Pogba is not playing, the average goals figure halves.
While the Red Devils have lost ground in the league, they have not missed a beat in the Champions League and visit Basel tonight needing just a point to reach the knockout phase as group winners. – AFP