The ESPN FC crew discuss how Manchester United’s Paul Pogba performed in his Premier League debut.
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Southampton lost 2-0 at Old Trafford as Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s brace inspired United to their second successive Premier League victory to start the season.
The Champions League runner-up came close to sealing a dream second debut in the final minutes of the game but Pogba couldn’t direct his shot on target after Henrikh Mkhitaryan played his team-mate in.
The France global played well without setting the game alight, but definitely showed enough to get the home fans excited about the season ahead with him in the team.
Pogba laughed then said: “I’m happy for the team”.
He told told Sky Sports 1: “If the team does good the individual does good always”. But he’s great with his feet.
‘I’m new in the team, I’ve only been here a month.
Paul Pogba looked good but was not the star of the show on his return to Old Trafford after rejoining the club for a record fee. He’s learning how to play with us. This might seem a contradictory statement as you’d assume having a winger would be beneficial, but as Mata drifted in, as did the defenders covering him providing space for Valencia to run into.
The France worldwide shot to the top of Jose Mourinho’s wish list following the arrivals of Eric Bailly, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Ibrahimovic. We’re becoming better and better. “Next week is now a big game for us”. They are creating a good relationship with the team, with the players, even players I could feel the relationship was [previously] not the best, the players are growing that.
“There were lots of things that were positive for the future”.
For the first time since 2000, the world’s most expensive footballer has not been signed by Real Madrid, and while Pogba is a “Galactico” in every sense, his return “home”, as Ibrahimovic described it, can provide United with a big lift.
His name drew huge cheers from the home support when it was read out prior to kick-off, but his first touch was forgettable – an ungainly air-kick that enabled Southampton to spring a counter-attack.
“There are obvious things he has to improve”. “His first action was bad, he loses an easy ball and gives a counterattack and a free-kick to the opponent”.
Southampton suffered an early blow when midfielder Oriol Romeu was forced off by injury, Jordy Clasie taking his place, but their pace on the break caused the home side some anxious moments.
Zlatan, smiling, then said: “Next time, pass!” “He was fantastic”, Mourinho said.
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Ibrahimovic is now the penalty taker, taking over from Wayne Rooney.
