Man Utd Thread:

[J70]

Would you boys not think Pogba is worth building the team around? Might take a season or two, but with his control in tight spaces, passing ability and goal scoring, there is definitely a talented top player in there. Fair enough, his attitude needs work and he has to be managed, but so did Cantona when Fergie brought him in.

[imtommygunn]

United needed De Gea & Pogba to have good games to win last night and they ended up been United's worst players. Tactically United got a lot right, City struggled the first half and United created several moments where they could get at City but lacked composure to create chances. Once again we've gifted teams goals, bad defending and bad goalkeeping has led to goals yet again.

I'm surprised nobody mentioned United's fitness levels, its a huge problem and yet again last night City out ran United. I think 2 of the fitness coaches have left and haven't been replaced. United have no confidence so once they went behind it was game over, I wouldn't be too critical of Ole last night.

Pogba is starting to look like the biggest problem, he didn't give all he could last night; There was several instances of him putting no effort into getting back and as Gary Neville said it looks like he doesn't want to be there. How can you keep a player like that who turns it on when he feels like it, unfortunately that decision might be taken out of Ole's hands as it sounds like Woodward is desperate to keep him for commercial reasons.

When Ole mentioned it recently it joined the dots. A lot of these guys really upped the workrate when Mourinho was sacked but didn't have the base level conditioning to maintain it. Now a lot of them look fatigued and hence the poor recent run. I think that's something fixable. Another shocking indictment of the previous regime. I was amazed when someone on this thread lambasted Moyes and LVG but claimed "progress had been made" under Mourinho. Laughable. Overall though, things are never as good as them seem in good times or bad as they seem in bad times. We'll know shortly. I like to see transfers getting wrapped up nice and early. It indicates a planned approach. Later in the summer (or worse still January) worry me.

Need to beat Chelsea at the weekend. They're a level or two below City so it should be doable. Just have to stop conceding poor goals to have a chance. At least a win there keeps the last few weeks interesting (and hope still lives of avoiding the Thursday/Sunday routine next season).

Finished 2nd,got the highest points total since Ferguson retired and only conceded 28 goals. That was progress from what Moyes and Van Gaal but that was last season and in the end he was rightly sacked after leaving United 11 points off 4th.

Finished 19 points behind City who had the title wrapped up very early. United are 25 points behind City today after a recent terrible run. Liverpool, Spurs and Arsenal got better. 2nd place last year wasn't any sort of achievement.

Seanie I also found Mourinho deplorable but it does seem like there is nothing you would give him any credit for and everything you would find him at fault for. He does seem to push you beyond being rational...

I'm perfectly rational on him and have been since the rumours started about him getting the United job. I'm afraid it's others who've lost their minds to even contemplate it was destined for anything bar abject failure. With lasting ramifications.

About 80% of what you're saying is right IMO but you do stray into losing the plot and not being rational territory about the other 20%.

[Cunny Funt]

Would you boys not think Pogba is worth building the team around? Might take a season or two, but with his control in tight spaces, passing ability and goal scoring, there is definitely a talented top player in there. Fair enough, his attitude needs work and he has to be managed, but so did Cantona when Fergie brought him in.

He's not or never will be the type of player you build a team around. He's not leader like Cantona was who got others around him playing better. Pogba needs players around him performing well to get the best out of him and he's probably the last player you want on a team when they are playing poorly.

[magpie seanie]

Would you boys not think Pogba is worth building the team around? Might take a season or two, but with his control in tight spaces, passing ability and goal scoring, there is definitely a talented top player in there. Fair enough, his attitude needs work and he has to be managed, but so did Cantona when Fergie brought him in.

He's not or never will be the type of player you build a team around. He's not leader like Cantona was who got others around him playing better. Pogba needs players around him performing well to get the best out of him and he's probably the last player you want on a team when they are playing poorly.

I'm not sure about that as there is evidence that he has been a vital component of successful teams in the past. If you stick with him he does need to be accomodated moreso than most, there's no doubt about that.

[Cunny Funt]

Would you boys not think Pogba is worth building the team around? Might take a season or two, but with his control in tight spaces, passing ability and goal scoring, there is definitely a talented top player in there. Fair enough, his attitude needs work and he has to be managed, but so did Cantona when Fergie brought him in.

He's not or never will be the type of player you build a team around. He's not leader like Cantona was who got others around him playing better. Pogba needs players around him performing well to get the best out of him and he's probably the last player you want on a team when they are playing poorly.

I'm not sure about that as there is evidence that he has been a vital component of successful teams in the past. If you stick with him he does need to be accomodated moreso than most, there's no doubt about that.

He played along side top quality players some of which were pure leaders. That allows Pogba to then excel in successful teams. If United are to keep him the new players brought in will have to leaders and ones you build the team around.

[magpie seanie]

Would you boys not think Pogba is worth building the team around? Might take a season or two, but with his control in tight spaces, passing ability and goal scoring, there is definitely a talented top player in there. Fair enough, his attitude needs work and he has to be managed, but so did Cantona when Fergie brought him in.

He's not or never will be the type of player you build a team around. He's not leader like Cantona was who got others around him playing better. Pogba needs players around him performing well to get the best out of him and he's probably the last player you want on a team when they are playing poorly.

I'm not sure about that as there is evidence that he has been a vital component of successful teams in the past. If you stick with him he does need to be accomodated moreso than most, there's no doubt about that.

He played along side top quality players some of which were pure leaders. That allows Pogba to then excel in successful teams. If United are to keep him the new players brought in will have to leaders and ones you build the team around.

Fair enough. Don't think we're disagreeing. My hunch is Ole and co will want to do that since he'd be seen by them as one of their own....came through the academy....and the chances of selling and replacing him with a better option probably aren't better than 50/50.

[Insane Bolt]

Pogba is just like Balotelli.....a waste of oxygen.

[J70]

Would you boys not think Pogba is worth building the team around? Might take a season or two, but with his control in tight spaces, passing ability and goal scoring, there is definitely a talented top player in there. Fair enough, his attitude needs work and he has to be managed, but so did Cantona when Fergie brought him in.

He's not or never will be the type of player you build a team around. He's not leader like Cantona was who got others around him playing better. Pogba needs players around him performing well to get the best out of him and he's probably the last player you want on a team when they are playing poorly.

I'm not sure about that as there is evidence that he has been a vital component of successful teams in the past. If you stick with him he does need to be accomodated moreso than most, there's no doubt about that.

He played along side top quality players some of which were pure leaders. That allows Pogba to then excel in successful teams. If United are to keep him the new players brought in will have to leaders and ones you build the team around.

When I say "build the team around", that means bringing in lads who do all the donkey work and ball winning and giving him just the responsibility to be an attacking creative force i.e. you construct the team specifically to allow him to excel in his preferred role and not to have to worry about the other stuff.

[seafoid]

Pogba is just like Balotelli.....a waste of oxygen.

Balotelli never scored a goal in the World Cup Final for the winning team.

[BenDover]

Would you boys not think Pogba is worth building the team around? Might take a season or two, but with his control in tight spaces, passing ability and goal scoring, there is definitely a talented top player in there. Fair enough, his attitude needs work and he has to be managed, but so did Cantona when Fergie brought him in.

He's not or never will be the type of player you build a team around. He's not leader like Cantona was who got others around him playing better. Pogba needs players around him performing well to get the best out of him and he's probably the last player you want on a team when they are playing poorly.

I'm not sure about that as there is evidence that he has been a vital component of successful teams in the past. If you stick with him he does need to be accomodated moreso than most, there's no doubt about that.

He played along side top quality players some of which were pure leaders. That allows Pogba to then excel in successful teams. If United are to keep him the new players brought in will have to leaders and ones you build the team around.

When I say "build the team around", that means bringing in lads who do all the donkey work and ball winning and giving him just the responsibility to be an attacking creative force i.e. you construct the team specifically to allow him to excel in his preferred role and not to have to worry about the other stuff.

Is Kanté an option of someone who'd do the donkey work?

[Milltown Row2]

Jeez! How hard can it be, Utd have had serious success over the years with a simple format, two great central defenders a general in midfield with a play maker, attacking wingers, one gifted 20 plus striker and 30 plus in the box striker a season up front!

Picking good leaders in certain positions is key, fitnesses levels need to be at a level we're they are at it from the start to finish. The teams since Fergie has left remind me of the Big Ron Atkinson years, plenty talent not the finished article

[J70]

Would you boys not think Pogba is worth building the team around? Might take a season or two, but with his control in tight spaces, passing ability and goal scoring, there is definitely a talented top player in there. Fair enough, his attitude needs work and he has to be managed, but so did Cantona when Fergie brought him in.

He's not or never will be the type of player you build a team around. He's not leader like Cantona was who got others around him playing better. Pogba needs players around him performing well to get the best out of him and he's probably the last player you want on a team when they are playing poorly.

I'm not sure about that as there is evidence that he has been a vital component of successful teams in the past. If you stick with him he does need to be accomodated moreso than most, there's no doubt about that.

He played along side top quality players some of which were pure leaders. That allows Pogba to then excel in successful teams. If United are to keep him the new players brought in will have to leaders and ones you build the team around.

When I say "build the team around", that means bringing in lads who do all the donkey work and ball winning and giving him just the responsibility to be an attacking creative force i.e. you construct the team specifically to allow him to excel in his preferred role and not to have to worry about the other stuff.

Is Kanté an option of someone who'd do the donkey work?

He's a wee bit more than that. Unfortunately there aren't many like him about.

[imtommygunn]

Chelsea are really misusing him so it would probably be worth a bid.

[GetOverTheBar]

Chelsea are really misusing him so it would probably be worth a bid.

N'Golo Kante has scored the same amount of goals this season (Penalties aside) as Paul Pogba.

It would seem presumptuous to label Kante, he's an all round world class player.

[screenexile]

Kanté is brilliant he's the type of player that could play on any team and still be brilliant. He's been played out of position by Chelsea this year but still puts in a shift and you never ever hear any shite from him and by all accounts a great team mate Chelsea would be mad to let him go!