Let’s forget about the European Super League talk for now. As ridiculous as it is, its wasted energy.
On a more pleasing note, Manchester United made it five wins on the bounce in the Premier League, for the first time since January 2019 beating 3-1 Burnley at Old Trafford last Sunday. It means Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men are now eight points adrift of Champions-elect Manchester City, with six games to play.
It took a while for United to get going, but we’ve seen it all before, its been a hallmark of their game for much of this campaign. While many may see it as a frustrating element in Solskjaer’s ‘almost there’ team, there can be no doubts that this current Manchester United crop is making giant strides forward.
They’ve already matched their points tally for last season, and are on course to not only surpass it but also on course to finish in an second place, for the first time since Mourinho achieved it in 2018, considering where the team is in their development under Solskjaer.
As we’ve seen this season, United are a weird and difficult team to pin down when analysing their patterns of play, when they are bad, they are bad but when they are on song, they are indeed a force to reckoned with. They’ve scored the second most goals in the league this season, and that’s a further representation of their giant strides to where they want to be in the near future, fighting for the prestigious titles once again but there’s still a lot of work to be done, especially in some elements of their defending.
But, as stated previously when United are in the mood in attack, they are an irrepressible force. Take their goals against Burnley for an exhibition or their impressive and complete showing at Tottenham. Exciting, free-flowing moves that leaves you wondering what would have been had they stayed consistent throughout the season.
Had United started the season better the title race may have been even closer, with the Red Devils having lost just once in their past 26 league games after slipping to three defeats in their first six.
Solskjaer’s men showed the perseverance, patience and never-say-die attitude when things weren’t falling for them in both games against Burnley and Tottenham, characteristics you’d find in potential title winners, and that’s down to the characters in the team.
Bruno Fernandes, Harry Maguire, Marcus Rashford, Edinson Cavani, Luke Shaw and Scott McTominay to name a few, though one man whose name has dragged through the mad in recent years throughout his time at Old Trafford, a player who we all know, on his day is amongst the most pleasing and attractive midfield performers in the world, Paul Pogba.
We know how good he is, and how great he can be, but with his immediate future at Old Trafford up in the air, and his controversial super-agent continuing to needlessly flaunt his services around, there’s been a requirement and an expectation on Pogba to get his head down and focus on his football, and that he has done with admirable aplomb.
No doubt about it, when Paul Pogba has played for Solskjaer this season, he’s proven that he is indeed a big-time performer. 5 goals and 6 assists this season may be perceived as small-time numbers for a player of Paul Pogba’s individual qualities and talents, but we must remember, for much of the season he’s suffered with injuries and niggles, especially being tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the season.
Let’s be honest here, Manchester United are better team with the Frenchman starring in it. So far this campaign, he’s come up with the goods in key moments. His goals against West Ham and Burnley in December and January. His superb strike against Fulham at Craven Cottage to drag United to a pivotal and priceless three points, and his winner against AC Milan at the San Siro, an indication that Pogba does indeed turn up when United and Solskjaer need him most.
For much of Pogba’s career at Old Trafford, he’s been criticized and accused of shirking under the weight of expectation, and flattering to decieve at the pivotal moments for United, ever since he was bought by his current ‘enemy no.1’ Jose Mourinho in 2016. Indeed, there are some truths to those criticisms, we know who those critics are infact, pundits like Garth Crooks, Roy Keane and Graeme Souness to name the main culprits. We know how good Pogba can be, and at times he has gone into hiding when United need him most.
But its different now, he’s playing under a coach who knows him inside-out, having coached him during his youthful years at the club. This season, when Pogba has been in the spotlight, he’s been spectacular to watch. Whether that’s because he knows this will be his last campaign at the club, he’s finally giving his all, who knows? But who’s benefitting? Both parties, both Pogba and Manchester United. There’s still the slimmer of hope, that if United do end this current campaign, having caught up to City to a more pleasing degree in the Premier League table and win the Europa League, that the Frenchman may be persuaded to stay.
Nonetheless, the midfielder has shown that there is more to him than the goals and assists we know he can contribute to the cause. He’s provided four assists in his last five games, taking the weight off Bruno Fernandes’ shoulders in the creative department, but his performances over the past couple months has been excellent, especially in the last couple weeks.
You can tell the difference when Pogba is on the pitch and when he is not. In his absence, Solskjaer’s team have looked at times aimless, lacking in imagination especially when Bruno Fernandes has his rare off-days. But with Pogba, United look purposeful, assured, confident and an attractive proposition. Against Tottenham, United were stunning to watch, the football mesmerising and much of that was down to the Frenchman’s craftsmanship. Lining-up on the left of the three in Solskjaer’s customary 4-2-3-1 behind Edinson Cavani, Pogba was afforded the freedom to roam infield and carry United forward, coupled with the defensive responsibility, but more importantly putting in a man-of-the-match performance.
Before we get to his irresistible assist for Mason Greenwood. Take his assist – which should have stood by the way after McTominay’s supposed foul on Hueng-Min Son – for Edinson Cavani, caressing a sublime pass through the legs of Serge Aurier for the Uruguayan to clinically dispatch past Hugo Lloris. A fine example of the kind of delightful attributes Pogba offers United when creating chances, he’s capable of the extraordinary, the outrageous and his assist for United’s third was sumptuous.
Leaving Eric Dier and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg in their wake with the effortless dribbling and deceptive movement that is tailor made for a player of his standing, it was a special moment in front of a manager who once made up his mind that Pogba wasn’t good enough to grace his own team a few years ago. Now, Pogba is enjoying his football, like that kid who wowed the whole of Europe during his days at Juventus.
His performance against Tottenham last week was a perfect ‘look at me now’ statement to Mourinho, but we’ve always known Pogba to be capable of those exceptional moments. When United perform those subtle, intricate and entertaining passing moves on the edge of the penalty area, its down to the understanding and ability to operate in tight spaces that Pogba possesses (Fred’s equaliser a fine example). Give Pogba that freedom, release the shackles from him and he will create chances like the first-class technician we know he is.
His dribbling effortless, the step-overs and deceptive footwork so exquisite, so in tune with an unintentional, majestic and harmonious orchestra, the way in which he dazzles past his opponents whilst driving with the ball at his feet is an elegant but frightening sight.
6.57 progressive passes, 6.01 progressive carries, 2.16 dribbles completed, 5.64 final third passes per 90minutes is truly indicative of the impact and the unique dimension that Pogba provides in United’s attacking play. He is delightful, especially when attempting those long-raking passes in order to dissect the tightest defences. His defensive contributions are as stark too: 1.91 tackles, 2.41 aerial duels won, 1.41 blocks, 0.81 interceptions and a staggering 13.61 attempted pressures shows Paul Pogba is the all-action, complete midfielder a club of Manchester United’s traditions and stature have daringly demanded.
It’s imperative he stays fit until the end of the season, because with him on the pitch Manchester United always have a chance of winning games, and who can put it past them to capture the Europa League trophy come May? We don’t know where Pogba’s immediate future lies, but his performances right now is what the focus should be. We are seeing the best of the Frenchman once again, and long may it continue. It’s evidently clear, Solskjaer’s men are a much more complete unit when Paul Pogba graces the field.
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