ANALYSIS WHAT WE LEARNED
THE PAUL POGBA PROBLEM
MAYBE the biggest winner from United’s recent poor performances is Paul Pogba, who suddenly holds a significant hand of cards if he wants to stay at Old Trafford.
The midfielder was in fine form before his injury and he was influential in the Reds’ good run, but his absence in recent weeks has left a void, especially with Bruno Fernandes struggling.
Against a deep and disciplined Crystal Palace defence, United lacked the tools and the ingenuity to break them down. There was too much pressure on Fernandes and the front three, all of whom underperformed.
One of the biggest issues was Fred and Nemanja Matic playing in midfield together. Their safe and slow passing gave Palace time to regroup and get organised.
United lacked incision when in possession and by the time the ball reached the final third, every door was locked.
Since Pogba picked up his injury against Everton the Reds have won just three of seven games, one of which required extratime. They’ve now gone three games without scoring for the first time since April 2019.
As United have struggled for creativity – at West Brom, Chelsea and now Crystal Palace – it’s been clear they’ve missed Pogba’s gifts.
Without him the midfield doesn’t offer enough from deeper areas.
We still don’t know what Pogba’s future holds. His contract expiries next summer and if he isn’t going to sign a new deal it would make sense to try and get some money for him this summer.
If he goes, United need to try and find a replacement, but if he’s willing to stay, and there might not be much of a market for him at the moment, he holds all the cards.
SOLSKJAER’S SUBS
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer can point to injuries that have reduced his options on the bench, such as Pogba, Donny van de Beek and Anthony Martial, but the fact is he’s barely used Van de Beek and Martial is out of form.
There was still talent on the bench in south London but the Reds boss was reluctant to use it. How the XI that started that game lasted 74 minutes will long be a mystery. In the end the first sub was Scott McTominay for Fred, before Daniel James came on for Edinson Cavani. Both were relatively bright but it highlights the lack of game-changing options at Solsjaer’s disposal and his reluctance to use them.
This was arguably a good night to throw on Amad for the final 10 minutes, but the 18-year-old remained an unused sub and United never looked like making the breakthrough.