Manchester United: Pogba, at the heart of the game

"It will be a match to see, a very interesting match", smiled Paul Pogba during the last meeting of the France team, projecting himself on this PSG-Manchester United.

Barely.

This duel between the champion of France and the Red Devils promises to be fascinating and rich in lessons, on both sides.

And especially for the international tricolor of 27 years, long injured last season and who is going "better and better" to believe Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Norwegian coach relying in particular on the performances of "La Pioche" in Blue.

“After being sidelined for so long, he needs time to play and train.

This is the only way he will progress.

We know he's a top player, ”he adds.

And even "one of the best midfielders in the world" according to Thomas Tuchel, who had found the key to stop him a year and a half ago, during the Parisian victory at Old Trafford (0-2) in the round of 16 first leg. of "Champions'". 

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Harassed by Marquinhos throughout the game, put under cover, Pogba was so unhinged that he was sent off late in the game, missing the return match.

The rest, we know it… “We all know that it spoke a lot after this unexpected victory (1-3) for the whole world.

Nobody expected it, ”smiles the Seine-et-Marnais, who had witnessed the success of his family from the stands of the Parc des Princes.

"He has all the qualities to become one of the best players in the world"

Ander Herrera

This time he will be on the meadow.

Except surprise.

“I hope I will play,” he smiled two weeks ago.

“He's still a key player, it's one of the keys to stop him,” notes the German coach, suspicious and admiring.

“He has everything,” says the Parisian and ex-Mancunien Ander Herrera.

I have often said that there is no milieu like it.

He can play one on one, win balls, attack, box to box ... He really has all the qualities.

He has all the qualities to become one of the best players in the world.

But the players who are candidates for the Golden Ball are in the team that wins everything.

So if United have the capacity to fight for any title this season or next, they'll be there, in the list for the Ballon d'Or and all the trophies. "

There has nevertheless been a big change since Herrera left Old Trafford for Parc des Princes.

And Pogba still has to live with it.

Coach Solskjaer also elsewhere.

"He plays a little lower than when I was there because they recruited Bruno Fernandes, who plays as number 10. Before, we used to play three, with me on the right and him on the left", analyzes the Spanish international.

And with the emergence of Fernandes, involved in 26 goals since his arrival at MU (15 goals, 11 assists, 27 matches), the native of Lagny-sur-Marne must often evolve in the two recuperators of 4-2-3 -1 Mancuncian.

Although, with many absent, including Harry Maguire and Mason Greenwood, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may have to innovate.

“The other key in the middle is Bruno Fernandes, who does a lot of assists in the depth, with Greenwood (finally forfeit, note), Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, three super fast attackers.

This is their strength, underlines Tuchel.

They are one of the best teams in Europe in transition. ”

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With or without Greenwood, that doesn't change the fact that Paris will have to “stop the counterattacks before the counterattacks (smile).

This is the key for me.

We want to have the ball, play with a lot of possession, it's our style and we want to impose it, insists Tuchel again.

But we have to play with a good structure in attack to do a good counter pressing and stop the blocks before they arrive.

It is the most important.

Pogba, Fernandes, they are key players in the middle.

With Nemanja Matic, it's very strong.

And the three forwards are very fast.

They're good on set pieces too.

These are all key points. ”

Still a lot to prove

One thing is certain: Pogba has a lot to prove after a shy start to the season, he whose name is regularly mentioned in the transfers section.

Until recently, he spoke of his "dream" of joining Real Madrid sooner or later.

In the meantime, MU recently made use of his option and extended his contract by one year.

Here are the two parties linked until 2022. Until then, Paul Pogba still has time to silence the critics and finally give the full measure of his talent over time with Manchester United, who had spent more than € 100 million to repatriate him in 2016. And in particular in C1, starting with this match on his native lands.

"We are talking about the finalists of the last edition, a very large team that comes back stronger," he said.

We have strengthened our team as well.

I can't say how it's going to be.

It will be a game to watch, expected for everyone given the history of the last confrontation. "

Highly anticipated… 

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