Project Pogba has been a failure at Man Utd – it’s time to end it
Robin Bairner
- 3 Nov 2021 10:46 GMT
- 6 min read
It’s time for Manchester United to admit that their project to re-sign Paul Pogba has been a failure.
The France international may be blessed with an ability to produce moments – and even occasional matches – of brilliance, but after a wretched display against Atalanta on Tuesday, it is evident that he is not a worthwhile fit for the club.
A player such as Pogba could be tolerated if he were on a modest wage, but his demands of £400,000 per week are anything but.
If a new deal is agreed between the former Juventus star and Man Utd, it is about the club saving face by ensuring that they do not lose a player they signed for a world-record fee in 2016 for absolutely nothing. It cannot be about getting value for money on the field.
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Pogba v Atalanta
Pogba’s record against Atalanta was miserable. He completed the lowest pass percentage of any starting outfield player, only surpassed the starting centre-backs in terms of pass completion in the opposing half, took part in a team-low five duels and lost the ball at a rate higher than any of his team-mates.
Pogba v Atalanta
| Minutes | 68 |
| Touches | 58 |
| Pass % | 80 |
| Duels | 5 |
| Aerial Duels | 0 |
| Tackles | 0 |
| Possession gained | 3 |
| Possession lost | 15 |
The shortcomings of Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer are evident, but it is difficult to imagine that any top manager would be building their team around Pogba at Old Trafford. There are simply too many other more valuable players in the club’s ranks, first and foremost Bruno Fernandes, who dominates the creative side of the game.
As club legend Paul Scholes explained to BT Sport after Cristiano Ronaldo had once again bailed Man Utd out with a late goal to draw 2-2 in Bergamo, Pogba simply needs his hand held too much.
He will get to 35 and will be doing the same stupid stuff
- Paul Scholes“He needs somebody talking to him all the time, someone there who he totally respects and is experienced,” he said.
“He is a really experienced player, but he will get to 35 and will be doing the same stupid stuff, stud-rolling the ball - and people know it.
“The biggest thing with the player is his concentration - he goes away with the fairies sometimes.
“At Juventus he was excellent and that’s why we signed him, but you look at the players around him – Andrea Pirlo, Giorgio Chiellini, Gianluigi Buffon, an aggressive manager, telling him all the time and he will need that kind of treatment until he is 35.”
In other words, if Man Utd are going to find the best of Pogba, they will not only have to agree new terms with him but also sign another player in the world-class bracket. This will neither be cheap nor easy – and even then there is no guarantee it would work.
After five years of the Pogba sideshow, it’s time for Man Utd to take the hit. He may well go and star at another more suitable club but that is surely preferable than spending millions on a player who simply flatters to deceive on too many occasions.
