At this summer’s World Cup, Paul Pogba proved that he could be disciplined, play for the team and shine when it really mattered.

These were failings that people would continually attack the player with last season at Manchester United.

He’ll return to Old Trafford, after an extended break, as a World Cup winner and now Man United boss Jose Mourinho needs to get the best out of the midfield maestro every week.

I think people are a bit harsh when they talk about Pogba’s season last term. He ended the campaign with six goals and eleven assists for the Red Devils. Some will say that he wasn’t the greatest in the bigger games but he shone in wins over Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Manchester City.

It’s true he wasn’t as consistent after he returned from a hamstring injury and struggled to get back up to speed but he also definitely showed glimpses that he can be a top player in the Premier League.

Talk also surrounded his relationship with his gaffer Jose.

The two supposedly fell out during the season. Now whether that’s true or not makes no difference now, Mourinho has fallen out with plenty of his players before, it’s how everyone reacts that matters the most.

Much was made of the fact that Paul was too set in starring on the left in a 4-3-3 formation, yet for France in Russia he was excellent alongside N’Golo Kante in a 4-4-2 and a 4-2-3-1.

When the French side needed a leader and a disciplined performer, Pogba often stepped forward and would look for the ball, charge forward and would often keep the ball too.

He was passionate and dynamic but he didn’t lose control of his discipline. Les Bleus boss Didier Deschamps trusted the midfielder and he was repaid with some fantastic performances.

Interestingly, Mourinho would state this after the final:

“It’s about him understanding why he was so good, especially in the second part of the competition,”

“I think that’s the point, about his performance level and his contribution to a winning team.”

I think that’s Jose telling Pogba that he needs to be more disciplined and if he can be then he’ll still get the plaudits.

While I agree with that up to a point, Jose too has to learn that as the United manager he needs to be able to get the most from the midfield star.

You need him to feel wanted and give him the responsibility to do more for the team.

The Portuguese boss also needs to give the Frenchman more freedom too.

He has to trust Paul Pogba to use his creative talents at various times of the game, as Deschamps did. If you allow him to express himself then when you need him to be super disciplined then he’ll switch on for the big encounters as he did for his national team.

In Fred and Nemanja Matic, Jose will have players in the engine room that can hold while Pogba bursts forward and supports the attackers.

Now there’s talk that Pogba could return to Juventus this summer. I think that would be a short sighted move on Man Utd’s part and an admission from Jose Mourinho that he can’t get the player to play at his full potential in England’s top flight.

I can assure you, if he leaves, then the twenty-five year old will become a world class performer elsewhere.

Personally, I believe Mourinho needs to sit down with Pogba and tell him that he can be the midfield’s conductor and really make the team tick but if he needs more discipline within the team then Paul has to be the one leading by example.

If they can work from the same page then Mourinho and Pogba could get Man United challenging next term!

It could be a case of two big egos respecting each other and doing what’s best for the club.

Posted on July 20th, 2018 by scott
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