Paul Pogba has split opinions the whole way through his career, but recently things seemed to have died down. That was until it was reported this week that Manchester United have set an asking price of £55 million for him.
In one of the most difficult transfer windows ever, if United can find a buyer at that price, then they’d be crazy not to let him go. Here’s why.
What has Pogba done at Manchester United?
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In nearly six seasons at Old Trafford, Paul Pogba has made 121 Premier League starts, netting 28 goals and laying on 29 assists.
Those numbers aren’t terrible by any means, but they’re a far cry from the player United thought they were buying.
To put those stats into context, Pogba scored the same number of goals and made just six fewer assists in only four seasons with Juventus in Serie A. That drop off in numbers is not good enough to catapult United back into Europe’s elite.
Given he was signed for a then world record £90 million, Pogba’s overall output at Old Trafford has not been good enough. If they can offload his hefty wages, then it would be all-round smart business for United.
How is Pogba hindering Rashford?
Against Fulham on Tuesday evening, Paul Pogba lined up on the left-wing, somewhere he’s played more frequently lately. There’s no arguing that the World Cup winner can do a job from the left, but playing him there means leaving Marcus Rashford out of the side.
Rashford provides more thrust from the left-wing and is far more of a goal threat, having bagged 55 in his United career so far. He also fits more into Solskjaer’s style, because of his electric pace and direct running. Pogba provides none of that.
Marcus Rashford could score his 100th career goal tonight, as United take on Fulham #mufc #MUNFUL https://t.co/c9TwTcDz9A pic.twitter.com/1o8dNkwiIq
— Man United News (@ManUtdMEN) May 18, 2021
Could this help Manchester United buy Sancho?
There’s no doubting that Pogba is a good player, but £55 million in today’s market would be a great bit of business for United.
They’ve been crying out for a proper right winger for a couple of seasons now and it’s no secret that they’ve had their eye on Jadon Sancho.
With that deal edging closer to completion, United fans can start to dream of a future front four of Fernandes, Rashford, Greenwood and Sancho. Trading Pogba for that line-up is a no-brainer.