By Mark Weasley
While at Chelsea, Jose Mourinho was asked about the chances of signing then Juventus midfielder, Paul Pogba, he replied with a cryptic message, “I love the Eiffel Tower, but I can’t have it in my garden”. It was a subtle dig at the Chelsea hierarchy for not supporting him with finances to get the best players in world football, and he duly signed the player when he got to United. José Mourinho knows the value of a midfielder that can do everything in central midfield from defending to attacking to creating all in devastating fashion.
He endured an underwhelming start to life at Old Trafford, but as the season wore on, he eased into his role expected of him by his manager and was named Man of the Match in the Europa a league Final victory over Ajax. After scoring 9 goals in 51 matches for us last season, he was expected to kick on in his second season, and he looked to have taken that to heart already. He had registered 2 goals and 2 assists in 4 league matches but his season has been cut short due to an hamstring complaint he suffered in the Champions league victory over Basel on September 12.
The report of the 24-year-old Frenchman nearing full fitness means there is every possibility that our season will get back on track. After an excellent start to the season, United seem to have lost the way already as we are now eight points behind Manchester City but the return of the talismanic player can help our season take shape once more. The signing of Nemanja Matic has seen the defensive shackles placed on him reduced considerably, meaning that he has more chance to influence matches further up the pitch which has yielded results.
Hectic Christmas schedule almost upon us, there is every knee to get our best players on ground to help us navigate that period. He has formed a brilliant partnership with his friend turned teammate, Romelu Lukaku with the pair on fire at the early part of the season. Lukaku is suffering from a lack of confidence in front of goal as he has not scored in a month and half, with the return of Pogba likely to be that jolt that will get him back to goalscoring form. He is the link between the defence and attack, and helps to dominate games as his leadership, authority and influence is gradually growing at every point.
There is a belief that had Pogba played those matches we have dropped points, the outcomes could have been different. Having one of the best players in the world is a plus every time and we need Pogba back to help our season and make our rivals think twice about doubting our title credentials.
