13 Jul 2016 08:06:58
All this saga regarding Pogba is really crazy and I feel we are concentrating too much on the wrong type of player.
Our midfield for the past few seasons have got overrun many a times and has really lacked a steely presence in the middle of the park. What we need is a defensive midfielder with abundance of energy, intensity and tenacity to ruffle the opposition attacks and make way for a quick counter and also at times go forward to help our attacking play. Someone like a Kante would be perfect for that role and exactly what we need.
We already have Schneiderlin who is more of a box-to-box player than a DM and we also have Herrera who provides that added energy in midfield. Add to that the likes of Carrick, Schweinsteiger who can be used as backup and to control games when required.
Currently, we should concentrate on adding a DM and another experienced CB to our squad and I think we should be good to go.
13 Jul 2016 09:14:12
kante isn't a dm in my opinion. At leicester he does everything youd want from a midfielder in a two in midfield. We would be limiting his game by putting him next to a schneiderlin and asking him to be defensive minded.
Someone like william carvalho would be more suited to defensive midfield role but then again the last thing we need in midfield is a guy who just plonks himself in the middle of the park and passes sideways. Its pretty much the main reason so many fans had a gripe at lvg for playing two defensive midfielders.
Pogba whether you think he's worth the price or not does something none of current midfielders do and that is make things happen. Whether its a long pass and bursting run from deep or a long shot he's dynamic and would be a breath of fresh air into our midfield.
{Ed001's Note - I forget who it was at Leicester that said it, but when talking about their midfield, he said: "we play Drinkwater in the middle and Kante either side of him." I think that sums him up perfectly. He is everywhere and you are spot on that he is not a DM and should not be limited to that role.}
13 Jul 2016 09:35:38
For some reason people are desperate to find somebody that isn't Pogba despite the fact Mourinho obviously thinks Pogba is the man that can do the job he wants.
We have holding midfielders, people keep telling me the only reason we let the least goals in last season was because of how good our defensive mids were in front of such a terrible defence, so why now do we suddenly need a DM, we need someone who can play box to box, tackle hard and create chances, the club has decided Pogba is that man, whatever we pay for him we have to remember that is the man our new maneager wants.
I just hope we get an answer one way or another soon as this saga is doing my head in, everyone seems to know better than the manager about football and better than the finance guy on the clubs finances.
13 Jul 2016 09:45:30
I think one positive thing about JM is he seems very focused and driven wherever he has been which says to me he won't hang around for Pogba as much as he wants him, until the last days of the transfer window - None of us want a will he won't he saga over the summer again with a player and therefore I think say 10 days from now we will know one way or another from our end if he is coming or not.
13 Jul 2016 10:22:45
I really don't see why people are so anti pogba i'd be delighted to see us signing one of the most wanted players around, in my mind he would go in any club or international starting 11 without doubt, why wouldn't we want that, he's good atm and I believe in the premier league he would thrive, I do believe it's too good to be true mind you fingers crossed,
13 Jul 2016 11:38:41
DSG - Kante might not exactly be a DM but, he is more of a modern day defensive minded midfielder, who's first priority is defence - providing cover for his team's midfield and backline. And in this age of football I believe a DM's role is just not limited to making interceptions and passing sideways, it's more about intercepting and spreading the ball nice and early to setup a counter. Although it would also depend on the manager's tactics, as was the case with LVG - possession was the first priority.
GDS2 - Can you name the DM's we have, who have the abundance of energy, intensity and tenacity?
Big Poppa - "one of the most wanted players around", really? We seem to be the only one chasing him for that silly price tag (if reports are to be believed) . Who are these other clubs that want him atm?
For me, he still has got a lot to prove and isn't as good as people make him out to be. He certainly has talent on his side but, not yet there and would take him a couple more years to fulfill his potential.
If we do sign him, he has the added pressure of delivering consistent performances and living upto the expectations of everyone who trust him so much and I am not sure that he has the maturity to handle that. Also, remember he doesn't have premier league experience at first team level and will have to adjust to the speed and intensity of the EPL, compared to the Italian league where he had ample time to do his things.
All in all, if we do sign him I will support him and the team as usual and hope that he delivers and proves his doubters wrong.
13 Jul 2016 12:19:43
tfm imo could do a really good job for us at dm.
13 Jul 2016 12:50:33
Letsplayunited I said the same. I feel we need more of a Michael Ballack who could be used the way Mourinho used Ballack at Chelsea.
I like Pogba he seems like a good player but is a luxury and drifts in and out of games to much. Moreover, like everyone else I don't want a mercenary coming in for the cash and wanting out next year also if that were to be the case.
13 Jul 2016 13:02:32
Mourinho out!
Let'splay! United in😂.
13 Jul 2016 13:14:07
markwelshy1976 - TFM seems a very exciting prospect and it would be interesting to see how Jose uses him. He can certainly play the DM role very well but, he is still very young and needs to be carefully nurtured.
Maze - I agree and simply can't understand why people rate him so much. It seems like a case of people accepting that we have let a talent slip through our hands and now want him at all costs or that they could have the bragging rights to a player who could potentially become world class in the years to come.
I have one question to all Pogba lovers:
Just forget all the centiments and the fact that Pogba was ever a united player, would you still want to sign him based on his performances over the years, for the mentioned price tag?
13 Jul 2016 13:25:59
chorltonred11 - That was funny! You can become my assistant manager, if you want to.
13 Jul 2016 13:46:35
Let's play your missing the point the reason he ain't on every teams radar is the price not is talent or is ability, we can afford him so let's get him.
13 Jul 2016 14:01:53
I was joking about you becoming manager😉
However if you are serious about me being your number 2 I'll start the Mourinho out campaign and book the plane fly over for Bournemouth away😄
On a serious note Mourinho must want a midfielder who got it all and can create/ score goals. The money side of things shouldn't really matter as they will aim to get most of that back in merchandise and resale value. Putting it into perspective. If Neymar was to be sold tomorrow he would go for around 175 million in today's market so 100 million is a bargain 🤔😆.
13 Jul 2016 14:10:22
Big poppa - Pogba's talent is unquestionable but, not he is not the finished article and certainly not worth the price tag asked for. When every other team that can afford him are stepping back as they are aware he is not worth that money and we are going in for him, it makes us look desperate and silly which makes me feel sick.
13 Jul 2016 15:23:21
I don't believe anyone but us can afford the price being mentioned without moving players on, it is silly money but isn't football full of silly money do you think a player who gets 60grand a week is actually worthy of that sort of figure, but why should we be bothered about the money it's not asif our partners going to say we need to cut the sky of this month as we are abit behind after spending 100mil on pogba, forget the money just enjoy the show.
14 Jul 2016 05:08:16
I really don't think the other clubs are 'stepping back' because he's not worth it. There are only a handful of teams in Europe who can afford 100m for 1 player. Some of those have established or up n coming players in place, so they have no need for Pogba. We have a need for a dynamic, box to box mid, who can distribute, link up with the attack and provide dynamism to our midfield. For this position I believe Sanchez and Pogba were identified by Utd/ Mou as the best young talents worth investing in and building a team around. It's likely Sanchez was first choice.
Had Real Madrid not expressed interest in Pogba his price would not ever have been that high. Maybe 60-75M? Similar to Sanchez.
I'm sure Juve saw potential Ronaldo/ Bale big money as a result of Real's interest. Adding the agents own interests in pushing the price up. Remember Fergie did not like Riola : (
United (following Sanchez to Bayern - big mistake), have put their hand up and said hey Real are not the only ones with the money.
Yes, there are other options but do they have the skills and potential Pogba has? Doubtful. Most other midfielders being touted (besides possibly Veratti) are established, and arguably at their peak with only downside in front of them.
If you're building a team to take Utd forward, as I'm sure Mourinho is trying to do, you buy young talented players to grow into and with a team. With the exception of Zlatan (clearly a one off for good reason) Mourinho seems to be thinking on these lines.
At the moment, I for one am liking what I'm seeing from the new regime.