20 Dec 2017 18:20:05
In response to those who complain about Pogba's lack of influence, I read this today:

"Since the 4-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge, on Jose Mourinho's Chelsea return and when Manchester United's defence held out for 30 seconds before conceding, Pogba has started 41 Premier League games. He has won 27 and drawn the other 14. Without him starting, Manchester United have lost five and drawn six of their 18 league games.

If records with and without certain players can often be a little misleading, there is further evidence to support the Pogba theory. The key is not just that the Frenchman is such a tremendous footballer, but that he is so dominant in his team's general play. That's even the case at a club the size of (and with the budget of) Manchester United.

This season, Pogba has registered 1.04 touches per minute; nobody else at Old Trafford breaks the 1.00 barrier. His 0.81 passes per minute is also the highest of any United player. These are both to be expected, but Pogba has also attempted shots at a rate virtually identical (one every 27.9 mins vs 28.5 mins) to Romelu Lukaku. He has completed dribbles at a virtually identical rate (one per 31.1 mins vs 31.0 mins) to Anthony Martial too. Pogba does not just bridge the gap between midfield and attack; he is the midfield and attack.

Yet Pogba also dominates the immeasurables. Holding off two opposition players at a time, the ability to be on the edge of the box at the perfect moment and the skill and movement to shift out of tight spaces are all evident within ten minutes of watching him play, but it is Pogba's sheer hunger that most impresses his teammates.

"He is, of course, a great player, but sometimes with natural ability, some players think that is enough, " said Andrea Pirlo after leaving Juventus for MLS. "That's not the case with him. You are getting a player with a great attitude. He wants to be the best in the world, he wants to learn off the coaches and the senior players. He is hungry to be the best. "

There is nothing particularly new in this dominance, of course. In his autobiography, Claudio Marchisio described Pogba as the most complete player he had ever played alongside, despite their association at Juventus ending when the Frenchman was just 23. "He's tall, has good pace, he's physically impressive and has unique technique for someone of his size, " Marchisio wrote. And Pogba is getting more and more influential as seasons pass.

This is all wonderful, but the flipside is just as obvious and has been experienced plenty often by United this year. Having a player who is so dominant when present leaves a gaping hole when he is absent. "

I would add that his passing into the penalty area is better than anyone else on our team.


1.) 20 Dec 2017
20 Dec 2017 19:45:50
Great post shaw.


2.) 20 Dec 2017
20 Dec 2017 19:17:20
great post man, Pogba is one exceptional player and were lucky to have him, I think why we miss him when he's injured or suspended is we don't have a real number 10 if we had Greizmann or Fekir or Dybola we would cope better when Paul's absent and better full stop Pogba and any of those 3 would be great, we already have a really really good team we could do with a winger as well. but think for now a great number 10 is the missing piece, we had Rooney not long ago and we need now another player like Wayne at his peak we have the goalkeeper we have the defenders we have Pogba and Matic Rashford Martial Zlatan Lukaku and a strong prem squad, we miss a world class 10 maybe we need to promote Angel Gomes or spend big to get some one in but unless this is addressed then we better pray Pogba don't get injured or suspended we are going to be top 4 no matter even if Paul was out rest of season were to good, but to good don't match $hity and we would not be contending for the champions league but I expect Jose to already have his choice in mind probably Greizmann I hope Fekir or Dybola or someone else but they have to be a out right beast in the position.


3.) 21 Dec 2017
21 Dec 2017 01:19:16
Dont ignore the fact that you concede more goals when he plays than when he doesnt, and that the games he has missed have been against the stronger teams which casts both views of the stats in a different light. Good player though.


4.) 21 Dec 2017
21 Dec 2017 09:17:46
Back,

Is Huddersfield away a harder game than Arsenal away now then?