A lot has been said about Paul Pogba’s continued absence from the Manchester United team.
It has meant the quality of his early season performances has been forgotten. Remember how he cut Chelsea apart in the second half at Old Trafford on the opening day of the campaign?
Now data from Whoscored.com has highlighted his contribution.
Pogba ranks joints third in ‘accurate through balls’ this season in the Premier League, with five.
Norwich’s Emiliano Buendia (11) ranks highest, while City’s Kevin de Bruyne has eight. Riyad Mahrez and Everton’s Alex Iwobi match Pogba on five.
The difference is, Pogba has started only six Premier League games this season, while De Bruyne has started 23. The United star puts the rest of the division to shame.
Missing creativity
A ‘through ball’ is defined as ‘a pass splitting the defence for a team-mate to run on to’.
United’s forwards have been starved of service this season and a huge part of this has been down to Pogba’s absence.
Anthony Martial may not be having the difficult time he is up front right now if he had Pogba supplying him.
It’s a reason United have netted just 36 times in 25 matches, and have goal difference of just +7, and only nine wins.
With Scott McTominay and Fred thriving earlier in the season in midfield, Pogba could have enjoyed real success in the attacking role. It’s a trio we may never get to see.
Bruno Fernandes’ arrival gives United the spark we have been lacking in midfield.
Yet if we could get Pogba ready too, mentally and physically, United have a chance to become a dangerous attacking team once again.
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