Manchester United are off to a rip roaring start and it has the rest of the Premier League on notice. In back-to-back 4-0 drubbings of their opponents to commence the season, we’ve seen many Red Devils heroes. The list is long and it includes Anthony Martial and Paul Pogba.
Martial slumped in year two (last season) of his Old Trafford tenure, but he’s coming correct now. Pogba didn’t live up to the hype last season as the world’s most expensive player, but he’s taking it to another, much higher level this season.
Pogba has really benefited from the addition of holding midfielder Nemanja Matic, who was obtained this summer. Matic allows him to press forward, a more natural role in which he usually excels to the utmost of his potential. Last season, Pogba wasn’t quite in the most optimizing role possible. This year, Anthony Martial sees his fellow Frenchman truly taking it to the most elite of the elite level. Martial believes Pogba can perform in the same rarified air as the very best in the entire world.
Martial said: “Paul is very mentally strong and he’s very sure of himself. He’s a big guy, he’s very technical on the ball and has lots of endurance. I would say he’s probably the best midfield player in the world. He’s still young so he has a lot to work on and he can get even better.
“If he continues to play and improve like he’s doing, then I think he’s going to win the Ballon d’Or award in the next five years.”
Wow! The Ballon d’Or! Move over Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi, Neymar etc.
That last guy we just mentioned took the “world’s most expensive player” title away from Pogba, so it’s only natural to assume that he might perform at an even higher level this season, as he’s free from that specific burden of expectation.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now and Minute Media. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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