17 Feb 2021 10:45:42
Here's a question I never thought I would ask, but how much are we missing Pogba at the moment?


1.) 17 Feb 2021
17 Feb 2021 11:15:26
Weve always missed Paul pogba when he's not in the team, anyone who says otherwise has a clear agenda against him.

When he got injured in 2017/ 18 our form dropped off.

When mourinho dropped him our form dropped off even more and he got sacked.

We were hardly pulling up any trees last season when he was injured and our form picked up post lockdown when he came back.

This season once he came back into the team our form picked up and we were playing well in december/ january.

He has obvious flaws but A footballer who can pick any pass he wants, can dribble past multiple players, has a very good first touch whilst also having impressive physical qualities is always going to be missed in team that lacks competent technical midfield players like this current team so clearly does.


2.) 17 Feb 2021
17 Feb 2021 12:01:29
Besides Bruno, only Pogba is our creative player and best passer.
I think we missed him especially against WestBrom.


3.) 17 Feb 2021
17 Feb 2021 12:01:45
I must have an agenda after watching years of him contribute absolutely nothing to the team.

He had that good game against City when we came from behind to win.

Then he went 2-3 years wanting a "new challenge" and making us worse when he played.

He's been much better since December, I admit.

But DSG - Maybe it's not a case of people having an agenda, but you unwilling to accept the rubbish he's served up for such a long time.


4.) 17 Feb 2021
17 Feb 2021 12:50:15
If we are missing anyone it's Bruno and he's the reason who's kept this team ticking until recently. I just don't understand why people instantly start crediting Pogba for all the good as soon as he plays a few games well. Bruno has done more in a short time than Pogba in years and that's the fact.

DSG the way you describe Pogba is true as he has that potential but hasn't translated onto the pitch consistently. He's been poor for the most part. And it's all been excuses when it comes to his form.

Would love to know what people's agenda would be as an employer about an employee as inconsistent (for years) as Pogba. Most would be lucky to last even a couple of months in a real job.


5.) 17 Feb 2021
17 Feb 2021 12:47:01
Yes, and we miss a young Mata.


6.) 17 Feb 2021
17 Feb 2021 12:10:49
Wazza, its just two seperate questions really.

Has he lived up to the hype when we signed him in 2016? No.

Is he really good at football and better than our current midfield pivot options of Fred, Mctominay and Matic? A resounding yes.

Therefore simple logic dictates if pogbas out of the team and we are left with Fred, Mctominay and Matic (who no doubt work hard and put a shift in but have very clear weaknesses) then obviously we are going to miss him.

The idea that he has contributed nothing for years is nonsense and everyone knows it hence i use the word agenda.

{Ed047's Note - ok next to nothing, not made a difference like David Silva, Kante or Henderson, just really been there as a poor role model for the likes of Lingard and Rashford.


7.) 17 Feb 2021
17 Feb 2021 13:16:29
Wow, a few good games and suddenly Pogba is the saviour. After an encouraging first season he has fannied about and often been at best average.

What we are missing is the forwards putting the ball in the nest, and Bruno's creativity as he is currently off the boil.


8.) 17 Feb 2021
17 Feb 2021 13:30:49
DSG. He contributed absolutely nothing for 2-3 years. He was so poor.

You mention the double pivot and the other players, but Pogba can't play that deep. He can't be trusted there because he takes too many touches and his passing isn't great - which sounds a lot like Fred. He scored zero goals at Old Trafford in 18 months because he was "injured", and when he returned gave away 4 penalties in a very short time which ultimately cost us points.

He's clumsy defensively and his goalscoring record isn't great, but he can make a 60 yard pass which gets the MOTD pundits excited.

That has been the case on the whole - but I do admit he has been better since December.

You can't go around saying people have an agenda if they have a difference of opinion. I'm calling what I see with Pogba, which is a player on huge wages who contributed next to zero for a very long time. If the last few months erases all of that for you then fair enough, but it doesn't for me.

I find the timing of his improved form to be somewhat suspicious as well. I don't want to get into conspiracy theories - but when he's vocal about wanting to leave and playing really badly, then suddenly starts playing better when that time for a move comes, I have my suspicions.

His time needs to be up.


9.) 17 Feb 2021
17 Feb 2021 13:50:35
So what is Utd's best XI? For me, it needs Pogba in it, without question. There really is no need for both Fred and McTominay, and out of that pair, the latter seems to offer much more.

De Gea; Shaw, Maguire, Bailley, Wan-Bissaka; McTominay, Pogba, Fernandes; Rashford, Cavani, Greenwood.

Note, I'd genuinely rather play Romero in goal, but clearly isn't an option anymore. Only Shaw has really deserved a place in the defence. Cavani is a no-brainer as the main man. Clearly, a CB and winger are required.


10.) 17 Feb 2021
17 Feb 2021 14:17:44
AJH -brownie points for the use of "fannied about" a much underused phrase nowadays.


11.) 17 Feb 2021
17 Feb 2021 14:26:35
spenno, best XI doesn't always mean a perfect team. Pogba only offers something to the team when he plays well which is not very often.

Take Fred out for Pogba and you are asking for trouble unless Pogba is really ready to put a shift in. Pogba gets in the team only because of his potential and probably being a big name player not due to his performances.

The way Pogba was being dropped for Bruno, Fred and McTom speaks volumes about his limited contribution to the team. He has been playing better only very recently which does seem for obvious reasons however it's good for the team.


12.) 17 Feb 2021
17 Feb 2021 14:36:44
I really know it’s not a perfect team - just the best available, as I see it. That XI needs at least 3 world class additions.


13.) 17 Feb 2021
17 Feb 2021 14:48:42
spenno yes it does look good on paper but we all know. Do you reckon adding 3 WC additions would be enough to start challenging again? Sure it would make the team much better and more balanced.


14.) 17 Feb 2021
17 Feb 2021 15:01:58
I reckon so. I think if (for example) a CB, DM and L/ RW (let's say Kounde, Camavinga and Sancho) were thrown into the mix we'd have as decent a first team as anyone, with a healthy bench too.


15.) 17 Feb 2021
17 Feb 2021 15:20:22
spenno I would just swap Sancho for a more clinical striker instead especially with the big money that it would take to bring Sancho.


16.) 17 Feb 2021
17 Feb 2021 15:31:08
True he won't be cheap. I think Haaland is the golden nugget everyone wants and it would make sense that he was a central replacement for Cavani. Maybe the timing works there in a few seasons but I suspect that ship has sailed. I don't reckon Dortmund would part with both Haaland and Sancho in the same season, so Haaland might not get his move this summer.


17.) 17 Feb 2021
17 Feb 2021 16:00:07
Haaland seems to be a highly ambitious player and with his time at Dortmund really going extremely well I feel he will be looking at the likes of Bayern/ Juventus as the next step in his career before he ends up at Barca/ Real.

We are been linked with Andre Silva (ST) who looks exactly what we need and someone flexible to play in the forward positions as well.

Let's see where our priorities lie in the summer.


18.) 17 Feb 2021
17 Feb 2021 18:22:13
If somebody offers Dortmund a very large amount then Dortmund will sell. Every player has his price. Just a question of quantum and who Dortmund thought they could buy with the sale income.

One thing for sure is that Dortmund will already be working to identify incoming transfer targets in case they do sell.


19.) 17 Feb 2021
17 Feb 2021 19:14:54
Agree Salford.
Dortmund are off the pace and well outside top 4. They have already said they will sell players in the summer. His release clause kicks in next year at a lower fee than they will get this summer. If they don't have cl football his sale is a forgone conclusion.
With mbappe likely to sign a new deal at psg then Madrid may come calling or indeed June or bayern if lew and Ronaldo move on.
City could well be in the mix but I doubt we would be.


20.) 17 Feb 2021
17 Feb 2021 19:30:35
summer sales in all football will be down on previous windows and it could be a chance to hold back the market trends of ridiculous fees on average players. In saying that I feel as a wealthy club we have the opportunity to benefit our squad in the market.
I can see interest in max aarons, strong interest in milenkovic at cb a right winger (probably sancho) and a stiker.
can see at least 1 cb going, 2 keepers romero and pereira and lingard permanent. Dalot as well and probably mata. To be fairif those six go out they won't make any difference as there's not many minutes played by any. Then we have the elephants in the room pogba and vdb. We know pp wants out and if vdb doesn't get many minutes i think we"ll take a punt on getting saul or rice. we could make some really great strides into sorting this club out.


21.) 18 Feb 2021
18 Feb 2021 08:17:48
We have missed him an awful lot when he's been on the pitch too.