After Anfield loss
THE sight of Paul Pogba discarded on the subs’ bench at Anfield in
December as Liverpool shredded Manchester
United summed up for fans the folly of Jose Mourinho’s reign.
With United still in the game at 1-1 at half-time, Mourinho brought on Marouane Fellaini instead of Pogba and Liverpool turned the match into a turkey shoot, winning 3-1.
Two days later
Mourinho, who was trying to drive Pogba out, was sacked.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer arrived and the transformation in the
France midfielder has been remarkable.
Solskjaer, who first coached Pogba as
United’s reserve-team boss, built his team around him like he had advised Mourinho to do.
Pogba has scored nine goals and had six assists in his 12 games under the caretaker boss. In contrast, he claimed five goals and four assists in his 20 matches this season under Mourinho.
He is the heartbeat of Solskjaer’s side and the Norwegian claims he is the best player in the world in his position.
“There are different types of midfielders but in his mould I don’t think there’s anyone near with his physical presence,” said Solskjaer.
“He can score goals and he’s got great close technique.
“The diving header he scored against
Chelsea was fantastic. He did the same against Bournemouth when he ran from the halfway line to get into the box.
“But he can also spray passes when he’s sitting more in midfield.
I don’t think that’s his best position, but he can do that as well.”
Solskjaer felt it was a no-brainer to unleash Pogba in his best position as an attacking midfielder and said: “He’s a top player who I’ve always liked ever since I saw him as a kid.
“He’s a World Cup winner, a leader in the dressing room and on the pitch as well. He wants the ball all the time. “So my idea was to get him playing to the best of his abilities as an attacking midfielder. You saw PSG man-mark him and other teams probably will too. “I don’t know if Liverpool will but if they do he will have experienced that and it creates space for others.”
The turnaround in Pogba personifies United’s transformation under Solskjaer and, since that low point at Anfield, they have won 11 and drawn one of their 13 matches under him.
United fans are desperate to make up for that humiliation when the sides collide at Old Trafford tomorrow, but Solskjaer has told his players to take out the emotion from the game. “I played in a few of these myself and know the magnitude of it for the fans and everyone who works here,” he said.
“It’s our job to be focused and to channel all that energy into performance mode when we start. “It’s not about emotions. I understand emotion can be brought into it, but we have to stay focused and controlled.”