Paul Pogba’s first season back at Manchester United is not exactly going to plan. The criticism inevitably falls on the Frenchman, but the actions of Jose Mourinho is not helping matters either.
Paul Pogba is under a lot of pressure at Manchester United. The Frenchman plays under the most intense microscope of any player in the Premier League. After being signed for £89 million last summer, a lot of people expected much more than they are currently getting.
Paul Pogba is not living up to his price tag. He’s also not living up to the hype and the brand that the player himself is responsible for building. Sure, there’s a team around him who are on a marketing overdrive right now, but Pogba doesn’t have to do anything he doesn’t want to.
His focus has been divided between on-field and off-field activities. That doesn’t work for everybody. But whilst Pogba has some adjustments he can make to help himself succeed at Manchester United, he does need a little help, too.
Yes, an £89 million player needs help. Pogba never set that price tag. That price tag can be symbolic of a lot of things. Like, the desperation of Manchester United. The selling power of Juventus or Pogba’s agent. Or just a market escalating out of control.
It’s not necessarily symbolic of a player who is the best in the world and will now slay all before him. Yet regardless of that, that is the pressure Pogba is now living with. Dealing with? Not so much. People are expecting too much of Pogba and the Frenchman is falling short.
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One man who should be helping his midfielder settle is United boss Jose Mourinho. It’s in Mourinho’s interests to get the best out of Pogba. He isn’t doing that. On Monday, Pogba was largely ineffective as United were plucky, but ultimately downed 1-0 by Chelsea.
After the game, Mourinho said, as reported by Sky Sports, that ”Pogba was by far the best player on the pitch”. He wasn’t. Clearly. So why make such a statement? Why invite more scrutiny and headlines? What Pogba needs right now is a spell in the shadows, not an even bigger spotlight.
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Additionally, Mourinho also said that the criticism of Pogba comes from envy of the Frenchman because the critics will never earn 10 percent of what he does. Again, what is the purpose of these comments? Mourinho is not helping his own player. He’s doing the exact opposite.
It’s not only in interviews where Mourinho is not helping Pogba. On the field Mourinho is not aiding the 23-year-old, either. Pogba still doesn’t have a settled position at United. Is the team set up to suit Pogba and his strengths? No.
Pogba’s strengths are getting forward and effecting the game around the opposition’s 18 yard box. Not sitting in a disciplined midfield with defensive duties. Pogba was in a situation in Italy where the team was set up to allow him to steam forward whenever he wanted.
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That freedom has gone under Mourinho. So, too, now his form. Pogba, like most players, needs the team set up to help him play at his best. Mourinho has not done that, and by not doing so, Pogba continues to fall short of the level he can perform at.
Paul Pogba has to shoulder much of the criticism for his so far underwhelming debut season at Manchester United. But his manager, Jose Mourinho, is not helping matters either.