Manchester United may have won in Paris without their most famous Parisian, but capital occasions seem to bring the best out of their most expensive player.
They have a 100 per cent record in London in 2019. Paul Pogba has three goals and three assists in what seems like United's second home.
Their most famous player returns after suspension and a famous result, ready to take his place in the makeshift midfield of rookies and a supposed misfit, in Fred.
Yet the same may have been said of Pogba three months ago. Confined to a bit-part role at the end of Jose Mourinho's reign, he is now an indictment of the sacked Portuguese.
Under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he has looked a World Cup winner and an £89 million (S$156 million) player. He has been ubiquitous, shedding his status as an enigma to deliver consistency and productivity.
Even while missing a penalty and picking up a red card, he has scored nine times and registered seven assists. Pogba has provided 16 goals in 15 games.
More, really. When United won at the Emirates Stadium in the FA Cup in January, Anthony Martial completed the scoring when Petr Cech had parried Pogba's shot.
The Frenchman had intercepted in his own half and powered forward: it showcased the verticality and directness that suits Pogba, but also the counter-attacking game plan United's last two managers have used in 3-1 wins at Arsenal.
They have had wildly different endings for Pogba. The 25-year-old also set up United's third goal, scored by Jesse Lingard, during an influential display in 2017 but was then sent off for a studs-up challenge on Hector Bellerin.
He has hugged the spotlight in home games against the Gunners, too: last season, he opened the scoring in Arsene Wenger's final encounter with United.
In November, a 15-minute cameo in a 2-2 draw proved his final league appearance under Mourinho; he was sent on for Marouane Fellaini and left unused in the Portuguese's final two domestic fixtures.
"I was in the shadows," Pogba said in January. His relationship with Mourinho broke down.
In contrast, Solskjaer has embraced his exuberance and encouraged a larger-than-life character.
In August, when few thought he could become United manager, Solskjaer had said he would build a team around Pogba. Given the opportunity, he has been true to his word.
He has given him defensive cover, finding his best role either in a trio or on the left of a diamond, but allowed him to surge forward.
He has been allowed to try the audacious. He is having more shots - 48 during Solskjaer's reign - but has actually showed positional discipline and greater productivity while looking liberated.
The unlikely lads showed in Paris that Pogba certainly isn't a one-man midfield, but a talisman still feels much more than just one man.
ARSENAL V MAN UNITED
Singtel TV Ch102 & StarHub Ch227,
Monday, 12.30am
Chelsea backroom staff 'convinced they are set for Stamford Bridge axe' along with manager Maurizio Sarri. Chelsea's backroom staff are expecting to face the sack at the end of the season
Coach Sarri insists he can avoid Chelsea axe
desktop.gulf-times.com/story/622832/Coach-Sarri-insists-he-can-avoid-Chelsea-axe
Maurizio Sarri insists he expects to avoid being sacked as Chelsea manager if his troubled side can put together a sustained winning run. Reports yesterday claimed Sarri will be axed if Chelsea are beaten in any of their next three matches after losing the backing of the club's hierarchy.
Maurizio Sarri admits job is at risk as beleaguered boss
LONDON (AFP) - Raheem Sterling scored a hat-trick as England started what they hope is a road back to Wembley for the Euro 2020 final with a comprehensive 5-0 win over the Czech Republic to open
Raheem Sterling hits hat-trick as England thrash Czech
Guardiola sorry City awarded 'offside' goal - theworldnews.net
Netflix renews Lucifer for fifth and final season. Unai Emery urges Arsenal to focus on Valencia clash. England fans clash with police in Portugal during Nations League match screening.
Unai Emery urges Arsenal to focus on Valencia clash - Article
Late Milivojevic penalty sees Premier League Crystal Palace snatch points at Newcastle. Jump directly to the content. Wilfried Zaha was brought down to win Crystal Palace a late spot-kick.
Newcastle United vs. Crystal Palace - Football Match Report
global.espn.com/football/report?gameId=513514
Palace held on for their first away win over Newcastle in nine attempts, a run stretching back to 1998. Luka Milivojevic celebrates his late penalty for Crystal Palace in the Premier League game against Newcastle. Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images. It lifted Roy Hodgson's side to 12th with 39 points, 11 ahead of third-bottom Cardiff City.
Late Milivojevic penalty seals Palace victory at Newcastle
Follow radio & live text coverage as Liverpool host Tottenham in the Premier League, after Chelsea beat Cardiff. back Chelsea to win on Sunday, though. deeply sabotaging hopes of a top
BBC Sport pundit gives his prediction for Cardiff v Chelsea FC
Lucas Moura has scored 12 goals in all competitions this season Lucas Moura scored a brilliant hat-trick as Tottenham cruised past relegated Huddersfield and moved above Chelsea into third in the
Kepa was fined one week's wages by Chelsea for his behaviour, but Sarri appeared keen to draw a line under the damaging row when he faced the media after the Tottenham game. Asked if Kepa was still his number one, Sarri said: "Of course. I think it was the right decision.
Maurizio Sarri: 'Disaster' settled Tottenham 1 - Chelsea 0
A consistent national Football Development Plan, will continually raise the overall technical standard of football in Australia, ensure opportunities for all to play and progress if they wish through a national pathway, and, in the meantime, foster life-long support for the game amongst its participants.
SHANGHAI (AFP) - Italian World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro was named coach of China on Friday (March 15), spearheading the ambitious country's attempts to become a footballing force.. Read
Italian legend Cannavaro named new coach of China | Sport24
Football: Man United legends thrash Bayern in 1999 charity rematch Manchester United's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer celebrates scoring their first goal with David Beckham. PHOTO: REUTERS
Manchester United Legends Thrash Bayern Munich in 1999
Neymar heads to Aspetar for medical assessment 2.6.0.0 Paris Saint-Germain F.C and Brazilian football player Neymar Jr has arrived at Aspetar, the orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital in Qatar, to undertake a complete assessment after six weeks into an injury sustained to his foot.
Neymar heads to Qatar for medical assessment - France - RFI
en.rfi.fr/wire/20190307-neymar-heads-qatar-medical-assessment
Neymar heads to Qatar for medical assessment. Neymar will travel to Qatar to undergo a "complete assessment" six weeks into his recovery from a fractured right foot, the club said on Thursday
Neymar heads to Qatar for medical assessment - france24.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment