Almost a year ago, Manchester United broke the bank to sign Paul Pogba for a record fee of £89 million. The Frenchman has certainly been better than your ordinary central midfielder and has been a mainstay in Jose Mourinho’s side, having amassed close to 50 appearances across all competitions. Despite putting in a lot of good performances for his side, he has had to face a lot of criticism as there are constant talks about him justifying his price tag.
He has not taken the Premier League by storm as many thought he would, and there have been days when he has looked a shadow of his former self. We take a look at the 5 areas where Paul Pogba needs to improve on over the course of the summer.
#1 Finishing
We all know that Pogba has the talent to score some outrageous goals, be it 30-yard scorchers or deft chips. But it’s the simple chances that have hurt him and United. His finishing in pressure situations has been very poor and he has often missed free headers too.
His poor form in front of goal is clearly reflective in his stats; he has scored only seven goals in 48 appearances. Some might say that he has been unlucky in front of the goal having hit the frame eight times in all competitions but then again, some of these chances should have been finished.
United have had a poor season in front of goal with only Ibrahimovic contributing to the main share of goals. They certainly need more goals from their midfield next season and could look to Pogba for that. He still needs to work on his finishing in order to become a 15 goal-a-season midfielder United are looking for.
#2 Defending at set pieces
Despite having a lot of tall players, United have looked weak when it comes to defending from set pieces. Standing at 1.91 metres and blessed with a great physique, one would expect the French midfielder to dominate in such positions, be it defensively or offensively.
However, he has looked unsure in such positions and often loses his man. When Liverpool visited Old Trafford this season, the Frenchman looked all over the place while defending a corner which ended with him handling the ball and giving away a penalty.
Due to his large frame, he is often given the job of marking important players, which is why Mourinho would be hoping that Pogba improves in this area.
#3 Consistency
There is no doubt that the 24-year-old has been influential for Manchester United, but that seems to go away in the big games. Barring the EFL Cup final, he has failed to influence the big games. He had a torrid time against Chelsea in the FA cup quarter-final which could be linked to the sending off of Ander Herrera.
With Rooney and Carrick coming to the end of their careers at United and Smalling not assured of a place in the starting eleven, the former Juve star needs to step up and take the mantle of leadership.
He had a good relationship with Zlatan Ibrahimovic and should use that experience next season. With time on his side, and after gaining precious wisdom in his first season, he needs to improve next season.
#4 Learn to adapt his game
At Juventus, the 24-year-old played in a three-man midfield with Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo. He had a much freer role as compared to his current role at United.
The Premier League is more difficult as compared to Seria A and players need to be sounder defensively. He has looked more influential when he plays ahead of Carrick and Ander Herrera in a three-man midfield.
Many feel his best position is as a box to box midfielder with defensive minded players behind him, but he needs to improve his defensive aspects as he can’t expect to play only that sort of a role every game next season
#5 Stop trying to justify his price tag
It's not easy for a young player to succeed when he knows the media and critics are hoping for him to fail. To some extent, especially at the start of the season, it has looked like the 24-year-old French midfielder is trying to justify the enormous fee paid for him.
He tried too many tricks and flicks at the centre of the park and went for the long range efforts, which when he has managed to pull off, have left the fans chanting his name for weeks.
Pogba has been at his best this season when he has simplified his game and not gone too overboard with the skills. He is maturing and getting better and better which was reflected in some of the games towards the end of the season.
