POGBA ...FREE AT LAST
Paul shows just why he’ll have the pick of top clubs in January
IT has taken five long years, but at least Manchester United now know Paul Pogba’s best position.
Unfortunately for them, it’s in the shop window.
Despite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s public protestations that all is well with the £89million Frenchman, the bottom line is that Pogba can walk away from Old Trafford for nothing when his contract expires at the end of the season.
For a second time.
And if there is something that United’s owners and Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola have in common, it’s knowing about the bottom line.
Pogba will have his pick of clubs from January. He’s even in the process of making his own TV commercial to showcase his talents in the guise of an Amazon documentary.
On the opening day of the season, the midfielder was pure box office. Bruno
Fernandes may have proved why he’s the new darling of the Stretford End with a hat-trick – his first since moving to Old Trafford in January 2020
And Mason Greenwood scored a goal to suggest that even at the tender age of 19, he will be the most natural finisher in Manchester this season even if Harry Kane ends up at City.
Brilliance
But it was Pogba’s promptings that drove United to a victory that was only really in the balance for the four minutes Leeds were level at the start of the second half thanks to Luke Ayling’s spectacular equaliser.
He provided four assists and a brimful of brilliance as Marcelo Bielsa was packed back across the Pennines after an Old Trafford hiding for the second successive season.
Pogba should have got on the scoresheet himself when the contest was goalless.
Greenwood sent him clear. But while the first part of Pogba’s attempt to conjure a step-over and shot all in one movement was perfect, he sent the ball wide of Ilian Meslier’s post.
Both teams created chances in a furious opening period played in front of a febrile full-house.
But that was the best of the lot – until Pogba’s vision and first-time pass invited Fernandes to race between Robin Koch and Pascal Struijk to put the home side ahead on the half-hour mark.
United had introduced new £41m signing Raphael Varane to the fans before kick-off.
But even the French World Cup winner from Real Madrid would have been powerless to prevent the strike that brought Leeds level.
Ayling last scored against Huddersfield in the Championship 18 months ago.
But when Stuart Dallas rolled the ball
into his path two minutes after the break, he transformed into a rightfooted Roberto Carlos to unleash a strike from 25 yards that tore past David De Gea.
Leeds’ raucous fans were still pogoing in the aisles when Greenwood struck to empty the dance floor.
Pogba guided a pass between Greenwood and Struijk and once the striker turned on his turbo he was clear.
Predator
The teenager then cut in to produce a finish of a predator, firing a low shot across Meslier and in off the far post.
Solskjaer would have approved – and he would have loved how his team then went for the kill. Two minutes later it was all over. Fernandes scored again, with the help of Pogba’s pass and goal-line technology after Ayling desperately tried to hack the ball clear.
And the Portuguese collected the matchball with a blistering half-volley finish on the hour from Victor Lindelof’s raking pass.
United’s dominance was illustrated when Fred marched onto Pogba’s low cross to complete the scoring with a quarter of the game still remaining.
The Brazilian’s finishing is so erratic that even Solskjaer has joked about instinctively ducking when the midfielder takes aim on the training ground.
This time, he didn’t have to break stride to sweep a low left-footer
past a shellshocked Meslier.
Pogba was
pure box office. He’s even in
the process of making his own TV commercial for a documentary
about him
Leeds lost 6-2 at Old Trafford last year – and Bielsa returned to Yorkshire adamant that his team had been more than a match for Solskjaer’s side.
This time, he reckoned they played even better.
But with Kalvin Phillips left on the bench following his Euros exertions, Leeds – who have not won at Old Trafford since 1981 – lacked their guiding hand.
When Pogba went off to a standing ovation 15 minutes from time, on came £81m new-boy Jadon Sancho for his debut.
United fans are right to be excited.