France winning the World Cup told us a lot of things – that a relatively inexperienced team can win the biggest prize in world football and also that Paul Pogba is capable of so much more than what we saw at Manchester United for the last two years.
The move to Manchester United was analysed heavily, not least because he had left the same club a few years previous for free and that they were now paying a hefty fee to bring him back. However, he had been in world-class form for Juventus and looked every bit the midfielder that Manchester United were calling out for. He has power and strength, a great engine – a true box-to-box midfielder.
The relationship between Pogba and Mourinho
His relationship with Jose Mourinho seemed strained at times, with 25-year-old Frenchman rumoured to be unhappy with how his manager was deploying him. Pogba is a player that thrives when he has the freedom to go where he wants on the pitch. Being asked to man-mark players is not a role he enjoys but this is something Mourinho wanted from him. Although, this is not the usual way that a team would use their record-breaking signing.
Pogba was integral in France’s World Cup win
This summer’s World Cup in Russia has shown that Pogba has the ability to control games; to break up play and then power into the opponent’s half, setting up goal-scoring opportunities. He also showed that he can weigh in with a crucial goal when the pressure is on.
Pogba has been constantly linked with moves away from Manchester United due to the apparent friction with Mourinho. If he stays at the club, one thing is for certain – Mourinho needs to use him in a more effective role. He needs to let him loose on their opposing teams in the Premier League, as when he is on his game there are few better players.
Pogba destroyed City at the Etihad
Against Manchester City, when the bitter rivals thought they had clinched the title as they led 2-0 at halftime, Pogba was the player that decided that City would have to put the champagne on ice. He sparked an amazing comeback, scoring two goals and putting their derby rivals into shell-shock as Smalling finished off a 3-2 win for United. That is exactly what Pogba is capable of, but Mourinho needs to let him do just that.