Golden Boy winner 2013 Paul Pogba has gone from the most talented footballer, to the best number 10, to the player to revive United woes, to a player slammed by pundits and legends alike. The Frenchman has had a tremendous career so far both internationally and at the club level. He has been the winner of the 2018 World Cup, Runner up in the 2016 Euros and winner of the 2013 U-20 World Cup in Turkey. After his transfer to Juventus in 2012, he won 4 Serie A title, 2 Coppa Italiana titles and 2 Supercoppa Italiana titles. He was named in the 2015 UEFA Team of the Year and the 2015 FIFpro World XI after helping Juventus to their first Champions League final in 12 years. After his then world record transfer of 105 million euros to Manchester United, Pogba won the League Cup and the UEFA Europa League.
2018-19 was a turbulent season for Manchester United. It started of with him being once again played out of position by Jose Mourinho, with defensive burdens on his shoulder. When Ole took over the reigns at United Pogba played as a number 10, ahead of Herrera and Matic and had his best scoring season, with 13 goals and 9 assists. However his performances dipped towards the end of the season, along with a dip in the team results, and was abused by United fans at the end of the season. Pogba has been rumoured to leave United, a season after he joined, however he continued his stay at Old Trafford. He started the 2019-20 season with 2 assists and created several chances, but fell prey to an injury in September during a match versus Arsenal. He has been sidelined since then and is expected to remain sidelined for another few weeks.
Alan Brazil, ex United striker, has however claimed that the Frenchman will never play for United again and was informed of this by a very reliable source. He continued to say that a video of the United ace playing basketball was suspect as he has an ankle injury. Several fans too feel that as soon as Pogba will be announced to be out of injury, the January transfer window will kick in and Pogba will be sold.
Ole has however continued to defend the Frenchman and said in a recent interview that no one can doubt his professionalism and his willingness or desire to play is incomparable. This wouldn’t reassure a United fan, as it is in Ole’s nature to not openly talk ill about his players.
Ankle injuries however are quite dangerous and causes discomfort to a player for a long period of time. Pogba has, without a doubt been an asset for United and in spite of pundits talking about his attitude or his laziness, it is quite apparent that without him United’s midfield looks weak and bleak. A midfield combination of Scott McTominay and Pogba will undoubtedly be formidable, and the pair have played only a handful of matches together.
With Ole placing trust in the youth and the three signings this season being stand out performers, no one can doubt Ole has the right philosophy for Manchester United. All he would need is a little more time and 2-3 more transfer windows to get United back on top, fighting for top honours. It is however yet to be seen in Pogba will be part of the rebuilding process, with United’s team being built around him, or will Pogba be sold for a high amount which can be reinvested in young, hungry players with the passion to play.
