After making a positive start to Manchester United’s 2017-2018 campaign, Paul Pogba has hit a bit of a rut. Sparking rumors there’s some unrest between the French international and Jose Mourinho.
However, the United boss has been quick to play down speculation that Pogba regrets having joined the club back in the summer of 2016, and affirms that he has no desire to leave Manchester.
From Manchester United’s last three outings, Pogba has yet to complete a full 90-minute shift. He was omitted from Mourinho’s starting eleven for their 2-0 over Huddersfield Town at Old Trafford, two weeks ago.
His omission from the starting eleven verse Huddersfield, came at the back-end of a run of underwhelming performances, especially for Pogba’s standards. His body language when subbed off after 66 minutes in United’s 1-0 loss to Newcastle, last weekend suggested that he was clearly frustrated, adding fuel to the proverbial fire.
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Mourinho was quick to play down rumors of unrest during his press conference ahead of United’s FA Cup clash against Huddersfield. He was characteristically short with the reporters asking the questions on Pogba (via BBC Sport):
"“I think you are nice with your words – because when you say lot of speculation you should say a lot of lies.“Don’t be nice, be objective and say lies. It’s a big lie that our relation is not good, it’s a big lie that we don’t communicate, a big lie that we don’t agree with his positions and his involvement in the dynamic of the team.“It’s easy and honest and objective to say Paul didn’t play well against Newcastle but some of the guys they are paid millions, don’t let people read things that are not true. It’s my problem and Paul’s problem to improve his performance level, you don’t need to be a liar.”"
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Well off the pace from last season
Pogba’s had his injury problems (thigh) this season, keeping him sidelined for nearly two months. He also missed three league matches to serve his suspension for getting a straight red card against Arsenal.
Still, though, Pogba hasn’t been as impressive as he was during the 2016-2017 campaign, that saw United lift trophies; if you include the Community Shield.
By this point last season, Pogba had already recorded 7 goals, and 4 assists, across all competitions. Even though he missed a handful of matches towards the latter part of the season with a hamstring problem.
This season, he’s recorded 3 goals and 10 assists, but the overwhelming majority of them came in the beginning stages of the season across all fronts; he’s clearly taken a dip in form. He’s seemed to have adapted a deeper lying role in United’s midfield since he arrived, contrasting the more attacking role he was used to playing at Juventus.
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The arrival of Nemanja Matic over the summer has given Pogba a bit of a situation where, tactically, he gets caught between two minds; should he be holding back alongside Matic, or should he be roaming forward to join in the attacking third?
As of late, it seems as if Mourinho is asking him to play in certain areas that he doesn’t necessarily want to occupy. Not to mention, Mourinho does like to utilize the likes of Ander Herrera and/or Marouane Fellaini, in central midfield roles as well; it can change United’s shape depending on who else is out on the pitch for them.