Paul Pogba did not see a minute of playing time in Jose Mourinho’s final game in charge, an ugly blowout at the hands of Liverpool in mid-December. Since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over for “the sacked one” no player has better embodied the United turnaround better than Pogba.
The Frenchman bagged a brace in today’s very convincing 3-0 win at Fulham, before then being withdrawn early as preparations begin for the massive UEFA Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night. Paul Pogba has now scored eight goals in his last eight Premier League games. Here’s his official interview after being named man of the match:
"It feels great. That's what we wanted since Ole came, we talked about the top four. We are there and we want to stay there now."@paulpogba joins @GeoffShreeves post match.
Watch live on Sky Sports Premier League or follow here: https://t.co/DEOctj4tu3 pic.twitter.com/yMFlQPpN8A
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 9, 2019
Indeed Pogba is now living up to both the hype, and the £89.3 million price tag that accompanied his transfer back to the club in 2016.
“He is playing to his potential,” said Solskjaer after the match.
“We are trying to put the team forward to put players in positions where they can hurt teams. Paul can do that with his qualities. I speak to him like I do with the others, that’s management.”
We’re truly running out of words to accurately describe his both his form and his impact on the current team. Perhaps the statistics displayed in this table would do a better job of conveying that sentiment:
?? Since Ole Gunnar Solskjær took over at @ManUtd:
?? Most Goals:
?? @PaulPogba? Most Assists:
?? @PaulPogba? Most Shots on Target:
?? @PaulPogba? Most Chances Created:
?? @PaulPogba???? Most Completed Take-Ons:
?? @PaulPogba? Top of his game. pic.twitter.com/U7c6Mm4e0D
— SPORF (@Sporf) February 9, 2019
United temporarily moved north of Chelsea for the final spot in the top four, marking the first time they have resided in UCL qualification position since August. The Blues will even up United in number of matches played tomorrow when they visit Manchester City.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.