Pogba impressed for France vs England / Image via metro.co.uk
It was Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho who used the enigmatic way to describe Anthony Martial after his stellar performance against Burnley back in April, claiming that having the French forward in full force was like having a new signing in the team.
Martial was on the receiving end of Jose Mourinho’s criticism on several occasions during last season, but it was his display in that 2-0 win that earned him perhaps the biggest praise the Portuguese tactician could give him.
Feels Like a New Signing
And with summer transfer window opening just two weeks ahead, let’s use this opportunity to apply pretty much the same way of expressing ourselves to describe Paul Pogba and his impressive showings against England in France’s 3-2 international friendly victory at Stade de France on Tuesday night.
Following a season of below-par performances and failed expectation on the back of his £89 million move from Juventus at the beginning of 2016/17 season, French international midfielder Paul Pogba decided to put in what was undoubtedly his best performance over the past twelve months.
Having reunited with his boyhood club at Old Trafford in a record-breaking transfer, the Frenchman had encounter plenty of issues in his attempts to live up to the expectations. With huge price tag slapped across his back, Pogba was never going to accommodate wide tastes of many Manchester United fans.
What he managed to do, however, was to offer glimpses of great promise and talents beyond any doubt. The level of his Manchester United performances went from frustratingly low to overwhelmingly high as the French international lacked consistency in his first season back with the Red Devils.
New & Improved Pogba
Manchester United midfielder came into his own zone at the very season’s end. The Frenchman starred for his club in the Europa League final triumph over Dutch giants Ajax to help his side to their second piece of silverware of the season, and – more importantly, it would appear – a place in the Champions League next season.
Pogba topped it all up with a stellar performance for France on Tuesday night, which came as a firm confirmation of his improving form. Pogba put in an unstoppable performance in central midfield role, displaying the full array of his skill, creativity and vision alongside the Premier League Player of the Year N’Golo Kante.
Manchester United fans will have been rather excited over Paul Pogba’s performance which is easiest to describe as perfect.
Paul Pogba orchestrated France’s win in this friendly encounter which saw the hosts play an entire half with ten men on the pitch after a rather unfortunate Raphael Varane expulsion. Manchester United star controlled proceedings with his direct running, great coverage of multiple positions in the centre of the park and caused the Three Lions all sorts of problems.
Pogba’s display against England was full of confidence and the French star positively brimming with it. With the £89million price tag pressure now off of his shoulders, Paul Pogba is expected to help Manchester United hit the ground running in what could be a decisive year for the entire team.
World-class performances are what is expected from Paul Pogba, but Manchester United fans need to lower their expectations and be fair to the lad who in great deal lacked support from the rest of the Manchester United squad last season.
Building Around the Frenchman
Manchester United are expected to add a couple of names during the summer transfer window, which should certainly be of great help to Paul Pogba. Benfica defender Victor Lindelof is expected to add strength and stamina in the back line as the highly-rated Swedish sensation is expected to thrive at Old Trafford.
Inter Milan star Ivan Perisic looks like he could become the victim of the Financial Fair Play at the Serie A giants, but one man’s loss is another man’s gain and the flamboyant Croatia international should provide Paul Pogba with more room to operate in as he is expected to stretch the play wide and far.
Ultimately, Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata and his potential arrival to Old Trafford would present Pogba with an efficient and productive goal-converting machine that, despite limited playing time with Los Blancos, managed to become one of the most successful La Liga scorers last season.
It all suggest towards the idea of building the team around Paul Pogba in order to elicit his full potential and world-class quality. And with these three as more-than-likely summer arrivals, Manchester United seem to be doing the right job.
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