Paul Pogba gave everything he could for France as they took on Switzerland.
He was let down by a wasteful attack and an error prone defence, while also having one moment to forget himself.
Pogba scored an outrageous goal to put France 3-1 up, and created the joint highest number of chances (4).
But he did let himself down by giving the ball away on the halfway line in the lead up to Switzerland’s third goal.
It was a minor blemish on an otherwise outstanding performance, but also a costly one, even though his defence still should have dealt with it.
Roy Keane’s verdict
Speaking to ITV after the match, Roy Keane said he was still not convinced Pogba has the all round game he should do.
Keane said: “For all his brilliant quality going forward, I still think he lacks that discipline defensively. That’s the key, the top players do it week in and week out and Paul still doesnt quite do it.”
This is of course more an appraisal of Pogba’s United career than his Euro 2020 displays, but the defensive discipline certainly does still go missing at times.
It was Pogba who gave the ball away for United against Villarreal leading to Edinson Cavani conceding the free-kick the Spanish side scored from in Gdansk. Although David de Gea’s poor clearance was the catalyst for this poor passage of play.
Keane’s assessmessment of Pogba was agreed upon by former rival Patrick Vieira.
Perfect partner
Vieira, sitting next to Keane, was in agreement with his assessment of the France international. And he said what Pogba needs, is a Roy Keane alongside him.
Vieira said: “Yes I completely agree when you look at his potential, what he can do on the field, you expect more from him.
“I think if he played next to Roy he would be a different player. He needs somebody behind his back, to put him under pressure every day, to be really demanding on him.”
Pogba may not like that, but playing alongside Roy Keane is a lot easier than playing against him.
The problem of course is that they just don’t make them like Roy Keane any more, and if they do, players with his combination of attitude, will to win, and talent, are so hard to find.
That should not stop United looking. A midfield partner for Pogba should be top priority after Jadon Sancho’s transfer is finally sealed, while extending Pogba’s contract will also feature high among United’s list of priorities.
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