It Might Not Look Like It, But Paul Pogba Is Becoming Manchester United’s Most Dominant Player

It has been easy for football fans to criticise Paul Pogba’s performances since his transfer back to Old Trafford from Juventus. It’s not just that he has amassed only one goal, as well as zero assists, in his six games with Manchester United, but against Stoke City he missed two clear-cut chances that ultimately cost them victory.

All of this is obviously exacerbated because of his enormous £89 million price tag, which in August turned him into the most expensive football player in the history of the sport. And since Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United are currently languishing down in sixth place in the Premier League table, five points off leaders Manchester City, there’s very little proof to prove that Pogba’s second tenure at United has started well.

But there’s more and more evidence that not only has Jose Mourinho now adjusted his Manchester United starting eleven to get the best out of Paul Pogba but that the French midfielder is also becoming Manchester United’s most dominant player, too.

Squawka Football have revealed that Paul Pogba has completed more passes (352) than any other Manchester United player this season, with 84% of these passes being accurate, which suggests that the players around him are repeatedly searching for Pogba during contests and that their game is now going through him.

Mourinho has also now changed his Manchester United starting eleven to put the right players around Pogba that can get the best out of him.

While Maraoune Fellaini started alongside Pogba for his first four games, defeats against Watford and Manchester City convinced Mourinho to replace the Belgian with Ander Herrera against Leicester City and Stoke City.

With Pogba and Herrera at the heart of the midfield Manchester United went on to win 4-1 against the Premier League champions, while Juan Mata, who was brought in against Leicester City to replace club captain Wayne Rooney, was able to link up with the duo and open up defences in both contests.

Unfortunately it was only against Leicester City that United were able to take enough advantage to gain victory, but against Stoke City United created just as many, maybe even more, opportunities, all bar one they weren’t able to convert.

Before United can see the best of Pogba he might need to take a rest, though.

Because, as @UtdHQ have reported, over the last 412 days he has played 73 games, which breaks down to a match every 5.6 days. No wonder he might be taking a while to get completely into his groove in United red.

But there’s already been enough evidence to suggest that when he does he’ll be truly spectacular and can take Manchester United back to the heights that they were used to experiencing in the Premier League.

[Images via Getty/Laurence Griffiths]