Manchester United may have won in Paris without their most famous Parisian, but capital occasions seem to bring the best out of their most expensive player.
They have a 100 per cent record in London in 2019. Paul Pogba has three goals and three assists in what seems like United's second home.
Their most famous player returns after suspension and a famous result, ready to take his place in the makeshift midfield of rookies and a supposed misfit, in Fred.
Yet the same may have been said of Pogba three months ago. Confined to a bit-part role at the end of Jose Mourinho's reign, he is now an indictment of the sacked Portuguese.
Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he has looked a World Cup winner and an £89 million (S$156 million) player. He has been ubiquitous, shedding his status as an enigma to deliver consistency and productivity.
Even while missing a penalty and picking up a red card, he has scored nine times and registered seven assists. Pogba has provided 16 goals in 15 games.
More, really. When United won at the Emirates Stadium in the FA Cup in January, Anthony Martial completed the scoring when Petr Cech had parried Pogba's shot.
The Frenchman had intercepted in his own half and powered forward: it showcased the verticality and directness that suits Pogba, but also the counter-attacking game plan United's last two managers have used in 3-1 wins at Arsenal.
They have had wildly different endings for Pogba. The 25-year-old also set up United's third goal, scored by Jesse Lingard, during an influential display in 2017 but was then sent off for a studs-up challenge on Hector Bellerin.
He has hugged the spotlight in home games against the Gunners, too: last season, he opened the scoring in Arsene Wenger's final encounter with United.
In November, a 15-minute cameo in a 2-2 draw proved his final league appearance under Mourinho; he was sent on for Marouane Fellaini and left unused in the Portuguese's final two domestic fixtures.
"I was in the shadows," Pogba said in January. His relationship with Mourinho broke down.
In contrast, Solskjaer has embraced his exuberance and encouraged a larger-than-life character.
In August, when few thought he could become United manager, Solskjaer had said he would build a team around Pogba. Given the opportunity, he has been true to his word.
He has given him defensive cover, finding his best role either in a trio or on the left of a diamond, but allowed him to surge forward.
He has been allowed to try the audacious. He is having more shots - 48 during Solskjaer's reign - but has actually showed positional discipline and greater productivity while looking liberated.
The unlikely lads showed in Paris that Pogba certainly isn't a one-man midfield, but a talisman still feels much more than just one man.
ARSENAL V MAN UNITED
Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227,
Monday, 12.30am
Buffon calls on PSG to show 'spirit of sacrifice' PARIS • So much has changed since the Champions League last-16 draw was made in December. Paris Saint-Germain were flying, Manchester United were in free fall and British pundits feared for the worst.
Gianluigi Buffon Identifies Two Problems Psg Have Ahead of
Get more information about QATAR at straitstimes.com. Skip to main content. Toggle navigation The Straits Times Qatar's Asian Cup heroes rewarded with lavish gifts. Feb 8, 2019, 5:00 am.
NBA would have fined Pelicans $100K a game if they sat a
worldsportstale.com/nba/nba-would-have-fined-pelicans-100k-a-game-if-they-sat-a-healthy-anthony-davis-report-says/
Qatar's Asian Cup heroes rewarded with lavish gifts. NFL News. Bart Starr: Packers QB Brett Favre gives touching tribute to a Green Bay legend.
AFC Asian Cup 2019: How Park Hang-seo rejuvenated football in
Jurgen Klopp celebrates his Liverpool team after they beat Barcelona to enter the Champions League final. Champions League final with a stunning 4-0 win against the Spanish champions in
Champions League: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hails
Karim Benzema saves Real Madrid blushes with late Huesca winner a barely-deserved 3-2 winner over bottom club Huesca. MADRID: Real Madrid's French forward Karim Benzema (C) challenges SD
Benzema saves Real Madrid blushes with late Huesca winner
Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino is fit for Saturday's Champions League final against Tottenham Hotspur despite missing the end of the Premier League season, manager Jurgen Klopp confirmed on Friday.
Football: Klopp confirms Firmino fitness for Champions League
Clock ticking for City core, Football News & Top Stories
Real Madrid have signed Serbia striker Luka Jovic from Eintracht Frankfurt for 60 million euros ($67 million), reports suggest. Jovic, 21, scored 10 goals for the German side in their run to the
Football: Real Madrid sign Jovic for 60 million euros: Report
I think the issue with VAR is simply how we perceive what the rules are. The reason so many of us 'disagree' with many of the calls made is because we just don't know the way the law is worded. The team of refs in the VAR room constantly talk to the referee as he makes calls on the pitch.
442oons - YouTube
Why do guys play hard to get? Well, boys can be so confusing, honestly. And when it comes to feelings, it can be hard to tell where they stand. Now, you may be wondering, why do guys play hard to get if they know I like them? This is the million dollar question. But don't worry, I have some answers for you.
37 Inspiring Quotes About Working Hard and Achieving Big
Football: Watford's Gray strikes to sink Everton, pile pressure on Silva WATFORD, England (REUTERS) - Substitute Andre Gray scored a second-half winner as Watford beat Marco Silva's Everton 1-0 in the Premier League on Saturday (Feb 9) to heap the pressure on their former manager.
Watford's Gray strikes to sink Everton, pile pressure on Silva
LONDON -- Maurizio Sarri backed Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Andreas Christensen to be the foundation of Chelsea for years to come after all three academy graduates performed
Maurizio Sarri on Callum Hudson-Odoi's prospects of starting
0 comments:
Post a Comment