Pogba return revitalises side
HE does not yet share teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s cult status, but Paul Pogba’s display on his comeback from injury showed that 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 on 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 twomonth absence.
“He affects our football,” United manager Jose Mourinho said. “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 longlegged technical artistry, the recognition of Pogba’s influence on United’s play has been slow in coming.
His then world record £89.3-million (R1.66billion) 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 winners’ medals in both the League Cup and Europa League, his goal in the Europa League final setting United en route to victory over Ajax.
But he could not compete with Ibrahimovic, whose goal-scoring feats and larger-thanlife persona immediately made him a favourite with the Old Trafford faithful.
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.
Former United captain Gary Neville said after Mourinho’s men succumbed to a 1-0 defeat at Chelsea: “I think Pogba is a big miss because of his confidence and arrogance.”
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, 24, is not playing, the average goals figure halves.
Meanwhile, Chelsea must seal progression to the Champions League knockout stages with a crucial win over Qarabag tomorrow to ease the pressure during a congested fixture schedule, manager Antonio Conte says.
Premier League champions Chelsea are second in their Champions League group and need one win to seal their spot in the knockout stages.
Conte has urged his side to get the job done in Azerbaijan and avoid the tension of battling for progression during a busy schedule that sees the London outfit play 11 matches, after tomorrow’s fixture, before the end of the year. – AFP, Reuters