Manchester United’s Paul Pogba put in arguably his best ever performance in a Manchester United shirt as he scored a second-half brace to help his side come from two goals down to beat Manchester City 3-2 on Saturday, writes DEAN WORKMAN.
The French midfielder arrived at Old Trafford last season as the most expensive player in the world. He has, however, struggled to reproduce the form and consistency he showed at Juventus. Although he has put in some good performances, he was yet to grab a game of the biggest magnitude by the scruff of its neck to dominate and win a game singlehandedly. Well, that was until the second half at the Etihad on Saturday evening.
After a great start to the season, the midfielder found himself on the sidelines through injuries and suspensions and has struggled to reproduce the form he showed in the opening few weeks. This culminated in a dip of form which subsequently saw the midfielder dropped from the starting 11 and rumours of a rift between Pogba and Jose Mourinho began to surface. Then just days before the derby, Pep Guardiola claimed that the Frenchmen was offered to Man City by his agent Mino Raiola. All eyes on Pogba heading into the biggest game of the season.
The Red Devils were 2-0 down at half-time and could very well have been four or five behind. United were on the brink of embarrassment as a City victory would see them seal the title ― winning it in record-breaking time, bettering Manchester United’s 17-year record.
United needed a special second-half performance and finally, we saw Pogba take control of a big game to make the difference for his side. He brought United back into the game after he ghosted into the City box and was found by Ander Herrera’s knockdown, before thumping it past an outrushing Ederson.
Two minutes later Pogba got his second and the Red Devils were level. The midfielder made one of the runs he became known for at Juventus, getting behind the City defence. The run was spotted by Alexis Sanchez, who then expertly picked out Pogba with the Frenchmen’s towering header finding the back of the net.
United completed the turn around when Chris Smalling volleyed home a Sanchez free kick. A memorable day for the club, fans, players and Pogba who was awarded the Man of the Match award.
The former Juventus man finally putting in a performance that everyone has been waiting for, but can he now kick on and do it consistently?
First thing’s first, he needs to be playing in the right formation to get the best out of his game. He has often played in a midfield two this season and it is becoming clear that for Pogba to shine he needs to play in a midfield three, as he did at Juventus.
After the game at the Etihad, the Frenchmen eluded to the difficulties of playing in a two-man midfield. The midfielder told Sky Sports, ‘It’s hard to make this run [for the second goal] in a two, because you have to stay, and you have to control. When we have three players, I know Matic will stay behind, and you have more freedom to go in front.’
Whether Jose Mourinho will now look to revert to a midfield three more often after the victory over Man City, only time will tell, but whether it’s in a two or three-man midfield. Pogba now needs to kick on and make performances like the one on Saturday, a regular occurrence.
Photo: Nick Potts/BackpagePix
Follow Dean Workman on Twitter: @DeanoWorks
