During the UEFA Champions League game between Manchester United and RB Leipzig, Alan Smith made an interesting observation about Paul Pogba. He argued that in spite of agent Mini Raiola’s comments, not many clubs are interested in signing his client Pogba at the moment.
“He’s just not creative enough, not consistent enough,” Smith spoke on commentary. If Smith’s remarks are true, it could be worrying signs for United in the 2021 winter transfer window. Because for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team, it is more important to relieve the baggage in January – and the first player on the list needs to be Pogba.
It has been over two years since Pogba’s frustrations started at Manchester United and his presence is now starting to hurt Solskjaer’s team. A week after United lost 6-1 to Tottenham, Pogba was heard openly flirting with Real Madrid at a press conference. “All football players would love to play for Real Madrid. It is a dream for me, why not one day?”
Just earlier this month, a couple of days after Pogba scored a screamer, his agent said in an interview to Tuttosport that Pogba’s time is over at Old Trafford. It did a lot more than just hurt United fans, it potentially also cost the Red Devils a spot in the Champions League Round of 16.
Ole is likely to have included Pogba in his starting line-up against Leipzig, especially keeping his goal against West Ham in mind. With Anthony Martial and Edinson Cavani ruled out due to injury, and Fred suspended from the contest, it would seem like the obvious call.
But Ole was forced to take an action and sit out Pogba. He had to try and fit in a five-man defence to push the game for a draw – a strategy that backfired badly, as it left plenty of space for Angelino to get past Aaron Wan-Bissaka, who left completely puzzled in the new set-up. He wasn’t the only one.
Luke Shaw and Alex Telles kept bumping into each other, Harry Maguire appeared confused, no player looked comfortable, confident, or even aware of the role they were playing – the ridiculous five-man defence cost United the game in 11 minutes.
Maguire was livid after the game. “If you can’t defend crosses you’re going to lose games. I don’t want to look at shape – it’s not an excuse…” he said. “We have to do more.”
But could this result be avoided had Ole played Pogba at the start – instead of bringing him in as a panic change at half-time? Perhaps.
When the transfer window opens again – United’s first job must be to sell Pogba. This is a hard decision to make – as United management would be aware that they would have to suffer a significant loss. But it would still be the right call. Pogba’s heart is not at Manchester United.
Apart from Pogba, Ole should also think about letting go of forgotten players – such as Jesse Lingard and Phil Jones. The money invested should be used in bringing in a solid defensive midfielder such as Declan Rice from West Ham and further boosting defence with Raphael Varane – both of whom are long-sought targets for Ole.
United roped in Cavani and Donny van de Beek in summer which was a good move as they can sustain the 2nd half of the season without needing to bring in any players.
Even if Odion Ighalo would be returning to China in January after completing his loan period, Cavani fills the gap in the striker position, and Van de Beek could fill out the midfield role if Pogba gets sold.
But letting go of all the baggage, starting from Pogba, would signal the start of the overhaul that United fans have been demanding for years.
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