POGBA’S ALL STYLE AND NO SUBSTANCE
DURING the 2014 World Cup, one Italian newspaper described Paul Pogba as “an NBA athlete with Brazilian feet”. It is a description that conveys all that is good about the world record £89 million Manchester United midfielder.
In an otherwise dismal team performance against Watford on Sunday, Pogba illuminated proceedings with a glorious attempt from range in the first half. It was struck with the instep, curling with pace and precision over Heurelho Gomes, only to hit the bar.
But United need something more tangible from Pogba. After four Premier League games, he has still to provide an assist or score a goal but, more critically, he has also yet to demonstrate an ability to control a match. A Cruyff turn here and a shimmy there does not mask the tactical limitations blighting United’s performances.
It is clear his role requires fine-tuning. Sportsmail’s Jamie Carragher described Pogba’s performance in the Manchester derby a fortnight ago as “like a kid on the schoolyard”. He added: “He ran all over the pitch without thought or discipline and was never in the one area he should be: central midfield.”
Against Watford it was the same. On paper, Pogba lined up alongside Marouane Fellaini in a 4-2-3-1 system but as the game progressed, he again became the wandering man. The Frenchman floated all over the field, making forward runs with abandon, popping up on left wing and making darts to the byline.
It is rare that United supporters sympathise with Fellaini but the Belgian was terribly exposed and it left United vulnerable on the counter-attack.
If Pogba is to play this way, United need more discipline behind him. One option would be to remove Wayne Rooney, push Pogba forward and introduce Morgan Schneiderlin to shield the back four.
Dropping Rooney would represent a crisis of diplomacy for Mourinho. But soon he may have no choice, for it is not only off the ball that Pogba causes United issues.
At 23 he is capable of deciding a game with a marvellous goal but has not yet developed the ability to dictate the tempo and rhythm like the greatest midfielders.
United are struggling to build attacks through their midfield, with Pogba and Fellaini unable to orchestrate attacks like Paul Scholes used to. That transition into a fine technician takes time and experience. It did not happen overnight for Xavi, Scholes and Andrea Pirlo and nor will it for Pogba.
As United’s performance became increasingly frenetic against Watford, observers wondered why the assurance and consistency of Michael Carrick has yet to see the light of day under Mourinho. His presence would certainly aid Pogba.
That was the view of Scholes in the studio. “If you’re Manchester United, you need someone who can stop the opposition but he needs to be capable of controlling a game of football as well. Playing forward, passing forward. As well as Fellaini’s done, I can’t understand why Michael Carrick is not there. He’s not played a minute this season.”
Rio Ferdinand has previously provided an insight into the confidence of Pogba: “He told me, ‘I want to be the best player in the world.’ I don’t know about that, but I think he’ll definitely turn out to be the best midfielder in the world.”
Ferdinand’s verdict may yet prove prescient but for now, either Pogba – or United – must adapt to thrive. – Daily Mail