We’ve been here before with Paul Pogba.
Pogba has come in for heavy criticism for his performance in Manchester United’s 1-1 draw away to FC Rostov in the Europa League on Thursday night.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan, on his return from injury, gave United the lead in the first half before Aleksandr Bukharov equalised just after half-time for the Russian side.
However, considering Rostov have only lost one of their last eight games at home, and the pitch was in terrible condition, it appears to be a positive result for Jose Mourinho’s side.
United will be confident of advancing to the quarter-finals of the competition with the return leg to come at Old Trafford next week.
Some United fans found fault with the performance of one player though.
Pogba may receive added criticism because he’s the most expensive player in the history of football, and he’s still only 23, but there’s no escaping that he was poor against Rostov.
The French midfielder is very talented, and has the potential to develop into a world class player.
But, as Frank Lampard and Jamie Carragher highlighted from his performance against Bournemouth last Saturday, the 23-year-old can lack discipline, be defensively poor and is still a long way from being a player who can change a game.
With his price tag, and the hype around his return to Old Trafford, he is bound to come under extra scrutiny, especially when he doesn’t play well.
https://twitter.com/_ManishPandey/status/839929676789387271
Lets be honest.Paul Pogba has been SHIT weeks. #mufc #RostovMUFC #pogba
— Bad Seed (@badseedgh) March 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/ApE481/status/839929587614298112
Pogba had a shocker today, never I have said that before but he was awful today
— Nik (@NikUTFR) March 9, 2017
Pogba struggling against communist farmers. The most expensive footballer in history
— Kvng Khareta (@Jeremy_Zuyi) March 9, 2017
Sorry but that wasn't great !!!
90 mill for Pogba…could have bought Isco and have 60 mill change .— Kevin Briston (@brissy1960) March 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/TylerSheppard42/status/839926264966307843
Pogba trying to read the bounce of the ball on this pitch pic.twitter.com/xCvQQ5ySJX
— GHTT #UTFR (@lperiofficial) March 9, 2017
https://twitter.com/Darrencahill/status/839926228266192896
Some defended him though.
https://twitter.com/nathanielhyatt/status/839936730685976577
https://twitter.com/jay4manutd/status/839931174092951553
Can't be arsed with our fans slagging Pogba again … the same ones will be licking his arse this time next season when he settles at United
— Jimmy McBride (@jimmymcbride1) March 9, 2017
Give Pogba a break. Nobody has been able to control the ball tonight and the majority of the play has bypassed the midfield totally.
— Jonathan 🇾🇪🏴 (@jonmikesav8) March 9, 2017
Catch up with this week’s episode of 888sport Football Friday Live
