UNITED Staying or going, Pogba must still perform on pitch
ANOTHER day, another gossip column fuelled by speculation that Paul Pogba wants to leave United.
After a stagnant start to the new season, there is a peculiar atmosphere surrounding Old Trafford as talks of a feud between Pogba and Mourinho bubble away in the background.
However, it really doesn’t need to be this way.
In modern football a club manager quickly becomes public enemy No.1 when their team begins to under achieve, but the Portuguese deserves better from his players - both on the pitch and off it.
Pogba should not be blamed for the poor start to the season from his United team-mates, but he does owe it to the club to defend them off it.
Yet, the World Cup winner has openly spoken about the uncertainty of his future and fuelled speculation he could leave in the not too distant future.
The toxic feel of uncertainty couldn’t be any more different to a similar situation when David de Gea saw his infamous deadline day move to Real Madrid prevented by a faulty fax machine.
The Spain international seemed destined to make the switch to the Bernabeu in 2015, however, the move fell through at the last minute.
After looking certain to make the return to Madrid, it would have been excusable for De Gea to throw his toys out of the pram and protest about the failed move.
However, the Spaniard’s response to the deadline day debacle spoke volumes of his immense character and profssionalism.
De Gea simply carried on doing what he does best, winning matches singlehandedly. The shot-stopper ensured no matter what was happening away from the pitch, he was letting his football do the talking. It’s a perfect example of what Pogba must do amid the constant talk about his future.
He has a big decision to make for himself, and if he wants to leave the club then he should be allowed to do so.
No player is bigger than United, and despite being the club-record signing, the same rules must apply to the World Cup winner.
However, the 25-year-old owes it to himself – and the club – to prove he really is one of the best players of his generation by continuing to prosper during times of uncertainity.
It won’t be an easy challenge, but club teammate De Gea is proof the situation can be salvaged. Pogba’s destiny remains in his own hands, and only he can decide it.