Paul Pogba

[S.E.Arising]

Paul Pogba joined Manchester United from French Ligue 2 outfit Le Havre in October 2009. During the 2010/11 season Pogba made 20 appearances for the U18s netting 8 goals.

[MUFCbell]

He looks an absolute beast during the reserve games. Capable of pulling some absolute corkers out the bag too. I like the fact he's tall and a decent box to box to midfielder.

I just hope we see him starting to make appearances atleast on the subs bench and in the cups this season.

[Sideshow Bob]

Pogba will for sure feature in the Carling Cup. He was less influential and tended to go missing for the reserves. He will be a dominant force for the second string this time around.

[G7SEV]

I have been really interested in his development at Utd ever since we took him from the prestigious Le Havre set up. He has come on a lot and I am really impressed every time I see him. He has also bulked up quite a bit at the club which is good as the EPL is a tough league. I would be delighted to see him feature in the first team this season in a few Carling Cup games.

[MUFCbell]

Agreed. Anybody got their eye on any other reserves for the first team? We do have a good crop at the minute.

[MUFCbell]

I wish we saw a little more of Davide Petrucci after signing him with such promise.

[JSNFRMN_MUFC]

People who go to Reserves games say Pogba's positioning is holding him back, the coaches are always shouting at him about that during games according to Reserve game go-ers.

[MUFCbell]

Hmmm. There's time yet though. Let's hope it all clicks into place!

[JSNFRMN_MUFC]

Nothing to worry about. Just something he needs to work on and he obviously is working on. He's still only 18.

[MUFCbell]

Agreed.

[Valencia's Left]

I wish we saw a little more of Davide Petrucci after signing him with such promise.

This. I know a lot of people go on about Pogba, Morrison and Tunnicliffe. But out of the current crop, I have more hope for Petrucci. He has been excellent since he's come back from injury.

[MUFCbell]

You never know, give Petrucci a few run outs and we won't need to sign Modric or Sneijder! That'd be the life eh?

[JSNFRMN_MUFC]

Manchester United Official Web Site - Sir Alex Ferguson to promote Paul Pogba

Sir Alex has revealed he is promoting Paul Pogba to the first-team squad after being impressed with the FA Youth Cup-winning midfielder.
The 18-year-old Frenchman replaced Paul Scholes in the Reds legend's testimonial against New York Cosmos and is in the manager's thoughts ahead of the new season. The youngsters at Old Trafford have ensured the manager is in a relaxed mood about his squad ahead of the transfer window closing at the end of the month.
"We've got Darren Fletcher to come back," explained Sir Alex. "Michael Carrick, who tends to develop more around November/December. And we’ve got a young boy Pogba who's showing great promise for us. He came on in a couple of games in terms of progress with the youth team, we’re quite positive about him.
"I mean if we hold Pogba back, what’s going to happen? He’s going to leave. You know, in a couple of years’ time when his contract is going to finish. So we have to give him the opportunity to see how he can do in the first-team and he’s got great ability, plus he’s got the physique and athleticism.
"He is a possibility so, when you take that roll call of players you know, I’m certainly not looking to add anybody. I’ve been saying that for weeks, but you’ve all been writing differently, you’ve all been writing about how I’m going to buy this one, I’m going to buy that one but we’ve said nothing, I’m carrying on with business."


When asked directly if everybody can forget about Wesley Sneijder arriving from Inter Milan, he replied: "You can forget about anyone you like! I’m happy with the young players we’ve got."
In terms of whether the likes of Tom Cleverley, Pogba, and possibly Ravel Morrison and Ryan Tunnicliffe, when he returns from Peterborough, can push the existing first-team midfielders, the manager is realistic about the situation.
"Well, I mean my intention is not to put pressure on anyone," he stressed. "My intention is to get the best team I can for United. There’s an emphasis on young players in the squad and there always has been.
"There’s a case where a young player comes through the ranks and that they can threaten anyone. Because if they have the ability and the temperament, there’s only one thing you can do and that’s play them.
"It happened with Ryan Giggs and Lee Sharpe, who was doing very well at the time, showing great promise and what happens? Ryan Giggs appears and Ryan Giggs gets the spot - it’s that horrible business of somebody's ability being better than yours."

Very interesting from Fergie, time to move this thread to the first team section I reckon

[IrishManc.]

Yeah very interesting. If Pogba got a bit more confidence to control games he could potentially be one of the best midfielders around. He's got absolutely everything ability-wise

[MUFCbell]

Things look promising for him this season without doubt. Fergie seems to have gone for it this season with Cleverley and Welbeck starting yesterday. Do you think he'll break in the first team this year though?

[JSNFRMN_MUFC]

Yep. I think first chance will be Carling Cup, he might even be on the bench for one of the CL games. Can't see any opportunities coming soon unless there's injuries, but once we start playing midweek aswell as the weekend, we'll see him get more involved.

[JSNFRMN_MUFC]

Pogba on leaving France for United: "I don't regret it. Personally, I made my choice although there was an element of risk."

[g@mb!t]

He was worth all that fuss that took place after we signed him. By next season he should be in the first team already!

[S.E.Arising]

Manchester United Official Web Site - Paul Pogba in line for United first team

[g@mb!t]

Sir Alex also mentioned Cole, Lingard, Fryers, Will & Michael Keane as player in with a shot at the squad for the Leeds game. Bit surprised to see Lingard's name mentioned though. Good to see Michael Keane in the mix, also Fryers. hopefully at least one or two of them make the bench!

[IrishManc.]

I'm not being harsh or pessimistic about our youngsters here but I wouldn't be that excited if any of those were chosen to play. Cole and Will Keane maybe but the rest I wouldn't. Michael Keane is light years away from playing at any professional level imo.... Would personally like to see Cofie, Pogba, Morrison, Thorpe and James (if fit)

[JSNFRMN_MUFC]

Pogba made everything look easy tonight. Great work for Diouf's 2nd. Such a wonderfully skillful player.

[g@mb!t]

If he continues performing like this, i doubt Sir Alex can keep him out if the 1st team squad for the PL either.

[IrishManc.]

Burnley boss runs rule over Manchester United whizzkid (From Lancashire Telegraph)

[JSNFRMN_MUFC]

Would be a good move but I can't see it happening at the moment as Pogba is training with the first team now and likely to feature in the League Cup and maybe one of the later CL group games, if the worst happens and we get knocked out by Leeds then that could change things. Early FA Cup games also a possibility for him. We're short in midfield so it's unlikely, if we get another injury (touchwood we won't) we'll need him.