“What is he still doing on the field?”
It always comes back to Paul Pogba, doesn’t it? No matter what happens, any discussion about Manchester United must involve Pogba and some debate about whether he is absolutely useless or world class and completely misunderstood, rather than the more likely truth of somewhere in the middle.
Today there was reason for it, though. United started poorly and barely improved in the second half against an Arsenal side who pressed them brilliantly, preventing the hosts from creating too many chances and causing a lot of panic at the back.
As the game dragged on and the deadlock remained broken, more focus was suddenly shone on Pogba, as United looked for someone to come up with a moment of magic. That is that they signed him for, right?
And he did make all the difference, just at the wrong end. The Frenchman clumsily tripped Hector BellerÃn in the box, giving away a penalty.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang slotted the penalty cooly past David De Gea for his second league goal of the season and all three points for Arsenal on the day – their first win at Old Trafford in the league since 2006.
It's a nightmare for Paul Pogba and #MUFC! 👻
The midfielder brings down Hector Bellerin in the box and Mike Dean points to the spot!
📺 Watch on Sky Sports PL
📱 Follow #MUNARS here: https://t.co/BTPpsvticr
📲 Download the @SkySports app! pic.twitter.com/RLQlyIk8Or— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) November 1, 2020
Pogba was then heavily criticised on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/utdrobbo/status/1322961799621300225
https://twitter.com/CFCMod_/status/1322961867631927301
Paul Pogba has conceded more penalties (2) than he has made key passes (1) in the league this season.
— ExpectedChelsea (@ExpectedChelsea) November 1, 2020
One fan even compared him to the infamous Eric Djemba-Djemba, the benchmark for a transfer flop at United.
https://twitter.com/UtdJL/status/1322963887067697152
Many fans drew attention to Pogba’s recklessness in the tackle this season.
Paul Pogba has given away 3 of our last 5 penalties. He has to cut out them rash fouls.
— UnitedReds (@UnitedRedscom) November 1, 2020
And then Liverpool fans came in with some bonkers hyperbole, obviously.
Pogba is finished it’s not even a joke anymore he’s one of the worst footballers playing for a top 6 club
— 🥤 (@TheImmortalKop) November 1, 2020