Paul Progba: The one that got away?

Throughout the course of his 26 years reign at Old Trafford, Sir Alex Ferguson had made countless errors – when comes to transfer target, be in buying or retaining good players and Paul Pogba is definitely one of them.

 

With headlines showing Paul Pogba captaining France to the FIFA Under-20 World Cup as well as collecting the player of the tournament award, most Manchester United fans would agree that this is definitely the one that got away. Especially this one is a midfielder, an area in which Manchester United needed most cover. A midfielder in the mould of Patrick Viera and someone who can pass, tackle, has physical presence as well as an eye for goal. Let’s not forget also that since his move to Juventus, Pogba has featured consistently in the first team, helping them to the Serie A title last season.

 

Highly rated young players these days are impatient. The media and their agents play a big role in turning their head around. Circumstances surrounding Paul Pogba’s departure may sounded like war of words between him and the club but ultimately player like him wants action on the field, the more the better. They are highly rated therefore very keen to show their skills at any chances, they do not think entirely of themselves as part of the team that emphasized on teamwork, tactical requirements or squad rotation. Managers on the other hand meanwhile takes into consideration many aspects when comes to selecting players or the state of the squad, especially during the run-ins to the title. Hence it was a decision that came back and ‘question’ Sir Alex Ferguson’s judgement because he ultimately chooses experience over youth. In the Pogba’s case - Paul Scholes was brought back from retirement to help Manchester United with the title run-ins with Manchester United. It is a case where Fergie had the options of taking Pogba into the squad and use him as part of his squad rotation strategy but choose not to.

 

Ravel Morrison and Zeki Fryers are another two examples of talented players let off. At very least they are not taking the world by storm or have not reached their potential like how Paul Pogba has. Morrison was a case of “too much baggage” while Fryers was what Fergie considered Tottenham Hotspurs (or more likely Daniel Levy) playing dirty tricks.

 

Manchester United still has, in their youth ranks player like Adnan Januzaj, Davide Petrucci, Will Keane or Jesse Lingard, to go with promising new signing – Wildfred Zaha. It is up to David Moyes to mould these young players into first teamers and at the same time giving them enough first team opportunity. As die hard and loyal Manchester United fans, we do hope that these youngsters will be able to replicate the class of 92. Another treble coming?