Official How Did Paul Pogba Play? 2020/2021

Originally Posted by utd99

“Scapegoat” suggests it’s unjustified.

It can also mean one person getting the shit for all others failings.

Once again he wasnt even the worse player on the pitch.

Maguire cost 80m is meant to be captain and was much much worse.

Originally Posted by barca99

It can also mean one person getting the shit for all others failings.

Once again he wasnt even the worse player on the pitch.

Maguire cost 80m is meant to be captain and was much much worse.

Show me one player that didn’t get the shit ripped out of them today. Just when it comes to his turn it’s always the scapegoat line. Talking about this one worse than that one is like picking the tallest dwarf. Pogba may not have been the worst but he’s involved in the discussion way too often for our ‘best’ player.

Originally Posted by utd99

“Scapegoat” suggests it’s unjustified.

It is unjustified though.

If he looked shit when we’re playing well, then fair enough, but he was excellent towards the end of last season, and was building a really good partnership with Fernandes, whilst the front three were scoring goals for fun.

This season every single player has dropped a level, yet we don’t see these threads for Rashford, Martial or Fernandes. FWIW I actually think Fernandes’ drop in performance has been the worst of the entire squad this season, moreso than Rashford’s; he is nailing his penalties, but is constantly losing the ball and misplacing passes that were hitting the mark a few months ago.

That has clearly impacted Pogba, who it’s clear now is a player that plays well when those around him are on form.

United have too many problems for one solution to emerge - that’s the reason we’re as dysfunctional as we are. Clearly a task way beyond the capabilities of Woodward, probably beyond Ole too and all driven by inexperienced, disinterested and an avaricious owner.

Pogba is one of the problems though and a fairly sizeable one imo.

But this thread is just an opportunity to critically assess the performances of our most expensive and best paid player. And at the end of the season we can then reflect accurately what his contribution has been.

I didn’t watch the end of the match but I read he did some in play keep ups to try and distance himself from his and his teams dire performance.

Cringe keep ups out of 10.

Very brave.

Originally Posted by Neo

A poor, lazy and careless performance, indicative of the whole team.

Nevertheless, once again the best midfielder in the side today. Matic was predictably ineffective, and Bruno has been awful all season, aside from his penalty-kick trick-shot circus act.

Clear to me that Pogba is never going to be a leader in midfield. When the side is poor, he is poor, and when the side plays well, he plays well. Obviously an easy scapegoat for anyone looking for an easy copout though. United have far bigger problems than Paul Pogba.

He may, or may not, have been our worst player today. Hovever, little consolation in being our second worst when he is our second worst in every game. At least he’s consistent with something ........

Originally Posted by Neo

It is unjustified though.

If he looked shit when we’re playing well, then fair enough, but he was excellent towards the end of last season, and was building a really good partnership with Fernandes, whilst the front three were scoring goals for fun.

This season every single player has dropped a level, yet we don’t see these threads for Rashford, Martial or Fernandes. FWIW I actually think Fernandes’ drop in performance has been the worst of the entire squad this season, moreso than Rashford’s; he is nailing his penalties, but is constantly losing the ball and misplacing passes that were hitting the mark a few months ago.

That has clearly impacted Pogba, who it’s clear now is a player that plays well when those around him are on form.

There’s no doubt they’ve all been shit, but I don’t see anyone excusing others in favour of always coming down on Pogba. But the fact remains he’s a 90 million pound player who was supposed to improve everyone around him, not just play well when they do. He’s not been anywhere near good enough, and just because others also haven’t been good enough doesn’t disguise that. Sooner or later the Rashford apologists are going to be back into action as well, because this has been going on since the restart.

Originally Posted by Neo

It is unjustified though.

If he looked shit when we’re playing well, then fair enough, but he was excellent towards the end of last season, and was building a really good partnership with Fernandes, whilst the front three were scoring goals for fun.

This season every single player has dropped a level, yet we don’t see these threads for Rashford, Martial or Fernandes. FWIW I actually think Fernandes’ drop in performance has been the worst of the entire squad this season, moreso than Rashford’s; he is nailing his penalties, but is constantly losing the ball and misplacing passes that were hitting the mark a few months ago.

That has clearly impacted Pogba, who it’s clear now is a player that plays well when those around him are on form.

He did not look excellent at any point after the restart last season. He had a couple of seven out of tens and everyone started talking about a new contract. I would rather play Bruno in ten and have a proper box to box midfielder play in Pogbas position. If we can’t sign one, play Fred or McT there. He’s being shoe-horned in because of his name.

Originally Posted by Hyman_Roth

United have too many problems for one solution to emerge - that’s the reason we’re as dysfunctional as we are. Clearly a task way beyond the capabilities of Woodward, probably beyond Ole too and all driven by inexperienced, disinterested and an avaricious owner.

Pogba is one of the problems though and a fairly sizeable one imo.

But this thread is just an opportunity to critically assess the performances of our most expensive and best paid player. And at the end of the season we can then reflect accurately what his contribution has been.

I didn’t watch the end of the match but I read he did some in play keep ups to try and distance himself from his and his teams dire performance.

Cringe keep ups out of 10.

Very brave.

Dodgy mentality; it’s been evident from the start. As has the fact that him and Fernandes in the same midfield doesn’t work in games where we’re under pressure, but Ole keeps doing it.

Originally Posted by browser

He did not look excellent at any point after the restart last season. He had a couple of seven out of tens and everyone started talking about a new contract. I would rather play Bruno in ten and have a proper box to box midfielder play in Pogbas position. If we can’t sign one, play Fred or McT there. He’s being shoe-horned in because of his name.

Correct, which doesn’t say a lot for our manager tbh.

Originally Posted by Sparky***

what the f*** has the c*** ever done in a united shirt to warrant such f***ing undying fanboys?

him and his agent have caused us nothing but f***ing grief, he's injured all the f***ing time and his performances in the shirt have stunk the place out for f***ing months.

Seriously, f*** him and anyone trying to defend him

When played in a proper system, further up the pitch he's world class.

That aside, on pure footballing ability he's clearly our best player. He walks into any team in the league and most squads in world football.

Did he play like dog shit today? Yes, but lets keep the same energy with players like Bruno Fernandes and Harry Maguire that's all I'm saying.

Where are the threads for those guys?

Originally Posted by Neo

A poor, lazy and careless performance, indicative of the whole team.

Nevertheless, once again the best midfielder in the side today. Matic was predictably ineffective, and Bruno has been awful all season, aside from his penalty-kick trick-shot circus act.

Clear to me that Pogba is never going to be a leader in midfield. When the side is poor, he is poor, and when the side plays well, he plays well. Obviously an easy scapegoat for anyone looking for an easy copout though. United have far bigger problems than Paul Pogba.

nope.

pogba is our biggest problem because the team is unbalanced and he is a lazy, inattentive, poor decision making @#%&! who is apparently undroppable. more is expected of him due to his price tag and talent. he is is shit because of his attitude.

Originally Posted by jem

nope.

pogba is our biggest problem because the team is unbalanced and he is a lazy, inattentive, poor decision making @#%&! who is apparently undroppable. more is expected of him due to his price tag and talent. he is is shit because of his attitude.

Why does Solskjaer keep picking him then? And not only picking him, but picking him in a position that unbalances the whole team. He’s been championing him since before day 1, and arrogantly keeps doing things anyone with a pair of eyes can see is shit.

Originally Posted by utd99

Dodgy mentality; it’s been evident from the start. As has the fact that him and Fernandes in the same midfield doesn’t work in games where we’re under pressure, but Ole keeps doing it.



Correct, which doesn’t say a lot for our manager tbh.

Dropping him is harder than dropping mctom - you must appreciate that surely? He’s the highest profile, highest paid and most expensive signing in the clubs history - he also probably commands the most sponsor interest. Clearly, ole is trying to play him into form. He should have been substituted today granted.

What ole possibly doesn’t have is enough power within the club and/or track record with the players to make some of those calls.

Originally Posted by utd99

Why does Solskjaer keep picking him then? And not only picking him, but picking him in a position that unbalances the whole team. He’s been championing him since before day 1, and arrogantly keeps doing things anyone with a pair of eyes can see is shit.

Yeah, there's really no defending this anymore.

He is simply awful in that position. A liability and a terrible attitude to match. And it's not like we don't have options there. Some of which fit and others who are talented and would be no worse in the position.


He should be dropped. The longer he plays and continues to £#%&! up, the more it reflects on Ole rather than him.

Originally Posted by Tronics

When played in a proper system, further up the pitch he's world class.

Originally Posted by Hyman_Roth

Dropping him is harder than dropping mctom - you must appreciate that surely? He’s the highest profile, highest paid and most expensive signing in the clubs history - he also probably commands the most sponsor interest. Clearly, ole is trying to play him into form. He should have been substituted today granted.

What ole possibly doesn’t have is enough power within the club and/or track record with the players to make some of those calls.

Yeah of course I get that, but the manager has to be strong enough to put the best, most balanced, team out because that’s the best way to get results and results are his job. Sometimes, for the team, the best fit is not always the biggest name.

We could have got Dembele, Bale and Reguilón for him. And maybe more. Real were hot to trot.

He clearly can't play in a 2 and he's now third choice in a free role further up the pitch behind Bruno and Van Beek - very difficult to see where he fits in.

Originally Posted by Hank Scorpio

At the price we paid and his (unjustified) reputation probably the worst signing in the club's history.

Maguire is however starting to challenge strongly for that title

Maguire arguably had more good games last campaign than Pogba has in his entire time here.

(nothing excuses his recent showings, of course)

Originally Posted by redhegemony

He clearly can't play in a 2 and he's now third choice in a free role further up the pitch behind Bruno and Van Beek - very difficult to see where he fits in.

There's no problem here. I was told a few weeks ago when i queried why we were buying another attacking midfielder that good midfielders can just play together.

Originally Posted by Neo

It is unjustified though.

If he looked shit when we’re playing well, then fair enough, but he was excellent towards the end of last season, and was building a really good partnership with Fernandes, whilst the front three were scoring goals for fun.

This season every single player has dropped a level, yet we don’t see these threads for Rashford, Martial or Fernandes. FWIW I actually think Fernandes’ drop in performance has been the worst of the entire squad this season, moreso than Rashford’s; he is nailing his penalties, but is constantly losing the ball and misplacing passes that were hitting the mark a few months ago.

That has clearly impacted Pogba, who it’s clear now is a player that plays well when those around him are on form.

That does not read like a 90 million pound player. Especially taking into account inflation.

What would you pay for him now?

60

And that would be based on his time at Juve. An expensive punt.

He certainly doesn’t play like a player who has outgrown the club, as per him and his agent.