In Focus: Stuttering United still lack tools to help Pogba shine

Paul Pogba's form has been one of the bright spots for Manchester United this campaign.

The Frenchman equalled the record for most assists in a game when he set up four goals against Leeds on the opening day and has continued to impress.

Now in the final year of his contract at Old Trafford, is the 28-year-old finally ready to put together a world-beating season for United?

LiveScore run the rule over Pogba and the chances of that happening.

Fast start

As discussions raged about a potential move, Pogba started the season on the pitch in remarkable fashion.

He notched four assists in the opening day thrashing of Leeds, one in the draw with Southampton and two more as United swept past Newcastle.

That victory over the Magpies saw Cristiano Ronaldo’s return in a United shirt and reports suggested Pogba wanted to extend his stay at Old Trafford.

He was linking up well with the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Mason Greenwood and Edinson Cavani, even before CR7 walked through the door.

Not that boss Solskjaer was necessarily that impressed with the statistic.

He said: "What does an assist consist of? A square pass and Bruno hits the top corner or when Paul plays a great pass through and Mason runs through?

"Paul has always been a great passer, one of the best in European football, and he’s not got assists from his best passes this season. I don’t pay attention to assists, it’s a social media thing."

The stats

And that is why it is important to dig a little deeper when assessing Pogba — especially as he has failed to score or set up a goal in five games since then.

The 0.34 big chances that he has created per 90 minutes is only 45th in the league, while he is 19th for chances created with 2.39.

Both are reasonable numbers, especially when you consider the different creative outlets that Pogba plays alongside.

At his best, Pogba drives into the final third picking out passes and taking on players.

Only 10 players in the top-flight complete more take-ons per game than the Frenchman, while he has attempted the seventh most passes into the final third.

With the latter stat, it is important to note that Jadon Sancho, Bruno and Nemenja Matic are all in the top six.

United often face sides who sit back and that means their players will be near the top of the list.

Forward thinking

One of the reasons Pogba has struggled for consistency at Old Trafford is his constant changing of position.

At times this season he has been on the left of the front three, at other points he has played in the midfield alongside Fred and Scott McTominay.

There have been games — including the defeat to Young Boys — where he has flittered between both.

That is not beneficial for any player and Pogba himself has previously spoken about his desire to play on the front foot.

In January 2020, Pogba said: "I always love to be in front, but with my body, my abilities and everything, if I can do both, why not?

"But I always want the ball, to touch the ball, be there to make the last pass, third pass, assist shot header and as well to be there defensively I can do it.

"I would prefer to be further [forward]. As long as I play that’s all that matters."

Big issue

Solskjaer has struggled to get his midfield right for United ever since he took charge and it continues to harm the side.

United great Paul Scholes recently said: "Ole doesn’t seem to be able to get the balance right in that team.

"Is he going to play that one [midfielder] with the rest around him, and have Pogba next to him who he probably doesn’t trust defensively? Or is he going to play two holding midfield players?

"It just seems to be getting that one person in the middle of the pitch right, that balance of the team. That’s the difference between United and I think Liverpool and City — they are much more aggressive, more attack-minded."

National service

Part of the frustration with Pogba is that he always seems to shine when playing for France.

He is able to play as part of a midfield two alongside a high-class holding midfielder — be it N’Golo Kante or, as it was in the Nations League final, Aurelien Tchouameni.

At United, McTominay is more of an advanced player while the ageing Matic has not get the legs to cover the ground needed.

It is also why signing a player like Declan Rice or Wilfried Ndidi, who was linked with United today, would be so transformative.

They would allow Pogba to play in his favoured role with limited defensive responsibilities.

That seems likely to happen next summer but whether or not the Frenchman is around to see it remains to be seen.

Pogba is allowed to speak to foreign clubs from January with his contract coming to an end.

By the time United finally sign another world-class midfielder, they may have lost the perfect No8 to play alongside them.