MANCHESTER UNITED MIDFIELDER Paul Pogba believes his performances are unfairly criticised, claiming that his form is judged on ‘assists and goals’ rather than his overall game.
The France international has been heavily criticised since his £89 million transfer to United in 2016, with many pundits believing he had failed to live up to his then-world record price tag.
It took Pogba time to settle back into life in the Premier League, but he scored in the Europa League final to help the Red Devils win their first European title under Jose Mourinho.
He finished the season with five goals and four assists in the league, and has six goals and 11 assists in all competitions this season, but feels his performances should come down to more than just raw statistics.
Pogba thinks that he is being judged harshly for the games where he does not provide an assist or goal, claiming that other players seem to get away more lightly from pundits when they do not contribute in front of goal.
“It’s quite funny because we don’t judge me on the midfield part,” he told Sky Sports. ”We judge me on assists and goals and that’s the truth.
I can make an outstanding game, but if I don’t score or make an assist they will say, ‘that is normal’, or whatever. But if someone else does it, it is different. They will maybe be man of the match.
“I think I’m judged differently, but it’s good. It makes me improve as well, it is a challenge for me and I take it in a good way.
“I don’t take it in a bad way. I’ll try to score and make assists and that’s it. I still want to do my job in midfield.
“If I can help the team in attack and defence and make a difference I will do it. If I can score and assist it is even better.”
In early April, Pogba netted twice against Manchester City to delay their title celebrations, coming just after former United defender Gary Neville had criticised him for paying more attention to his hair than his performances.
The two-goal showing impressed Rio Ferdinand, who said that Pogba’s hairstyle and off-field antics are part of what makes him special.
“Flashy hair and being seen to enjoy every bit of life is just the way Paul Pogba is and that’s his choice, so it must be respected,” Ferdinand wrote.
“All he has to do is make sure he keeps producing performances and goals like we saw against City – that will be the conversation with him rather than the other stuff.”
More proof he’s deluded, the thing is he never adds anything defensively and doesn’t seem to understand how to control a midfield going forward, how to slow things down when necessary, to build up play… He still has an immature football brain basically… Brilliant yes but mature, no… This then makes it very hard to ignore the flashy hair and off field antics…
@Eddiemac: that’s maybe because he’s not a defensive midfielder!!!
@Tondelaya della Ventimiglia: yea Mata is cr@p too he never saves any penalties….. oh wait
I’ve no problem with Pogba being held to different standards. He has shown an ability to be playing better than he has been and that’s fair enough.The main issue that Pogba has faced is that he has been played out if position for most of the season.
Pogba is best for United when he is allowed to play as an attacking midfielder-using his power to beat players, playing through balls for the front 3, and creating shots for himself. When Pogba plays in this no. 10 position, he has great chemistry with Lukaku, creates assists and scores goals.
Instead of letting Pogba play in that advanced role however, Mourinho has mostly put him in front of the back 4, something Pogba doesn’t have the positional discipline for.
In my opinion, if Pogba is allowed to play behind the striker consistently, he will realise his potential. If he isn’t, he won’t.
Been an easy target and didn’t really help himself with his lacklustre displays but since he’s moved further forward to his natural position he’s had 2 MOM displays in 3 games (City and Bournemouth). Ticks all the boxes. Once he keeps that forward position he’s a player to fear
@Ray Taff: how many MOM games has he had in two seasons?
I hear he’s got on to Mario Balotelli to see where he got his “ Why always me t shirt printed “ in Manchester
@Alana: obsessed
@Alana: the irony of a pool fan slagging utd fans about tee-shirt printing. The lift just doesn’t go all the way to the top does it Jamie
His only issue is that he’s a lazy b–’—–d and only plays when he feels like it.
No questioning his ability .
Mourinho likes big athletic type to defend mid field , which doesn’t suit pogba , also that overly massive fee united paid for pogba has a lot to do with him being marked out for criticism when he has played averagely ! Tabloids jump all over this
He cost £90 odd million, of course he’s judges differently!!
He is judged differently because he is paid differently. If he wants to be judged the way lesser profile players are he should drop his salary down to their levels. That said I do think that Mourinhos tactics don’t get the best out of him, or any attacking player.