Paul Pogba, the world’s most expensive player, has been in out of commission since he hurt his hamstring against FC Rostov on March 16th. He returned from injury today to see some late action as a substitute in United’s 1-1 draw with Everton. He had a decent, but not spectacular showing (the Daily Star gave him a match rating of 6), and overall he hasn’t come remotely close to living up to expectations this season.
Pogba has been much maligned as a £89.3 million bust who is more focused on image than football. His extra attention to emojis, bizarre haircuts, orchestrating dances and expanding a social media presence gives ammunition to his critics.
There are worries that Paul Pogba could be putting individual brand over the game itself, a la David Beckham. Former United defender Patrice Evra sees this comparison.
“If he has a bad game, people criticise him for what he does on social media or his haircuts, but he won’t change. He thinks for himself and acts for himself,” Evra told FourFourTwo.
“I don’t want his image coming before his football, and although I’m not worried that will happen, I’m scared other people hope it does so they can criticise him like they did with David Beckham.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and NBC Chicago.com, contributes to Chicago Tribune.com, Bold, WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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