Paul Pogba stood out while playing for Juventus in the Italian Serie A. The Frenchman starred in midfield for the Bianconeri as the Italian giants dominated the home front. But before anyone thinks that was because of lack of competition in Serie A, that Juventus team also dominated Europe and reached the Champions League final in 2015.
After Manchester United failed to appreciate his value earlier in his career and he went to Italy to make a name for himself, José Mourinho came back for his services in 2016. It was not surprising that the club would break the bank to make him a Red Devil again.
Unfortunately, Manchester United’s record signing, a player that was named in the 2015 UEFA Team of the Year as well as the 2015 FIFA FIFPro World XI before returning to England has become ordinary to many of the club faithful. Worse still, his manager doesn’t seem to know how to get the best from his star man.
Here are five ways to do so:
Concentrate on developing his game
The manager/player relationship is in many ways like that of a father and son. Every good father wants the best from and for his son. Mourinho’s concern should be Pogba’s development as a player and success on the pitch. That can only affect him positively as a Manchester United manager.
A look across the street to city rivals Manchester City shows that a manager can do this for the good of the team. Pep Guardiola is more concerned about his players’ improvement than seeking to prove he is the boss.
The French international has not been at his best in the last two years at Old Trafford. He has even come out to state the fact that he has not been happy at the club. It is the manager’s responsibility to find out why and help him regain his best form.
Give him freedom
Pogba has played his best football with Juventus and for France. In both setups he has had the freedom to operate and it best suits him. The 25-year-old performs best when he is allowed to concentrate on the attacking aspect of the game. His midfield partner in the national team, N’golo Kante, excels at the defensive side of the game which frees up Pogba to contribute more to the attack.
His role in starting and contributing to the attack was instrumental to France’ performance at the World Cup. Scoring in the final to your country lift the biggest trophy in world football is every player’s dream. Pogba lived that dream in Russia. But commendations must go to the national team manager who has found a way to get the best out of one of his best players. Mourinho needs to learn from that.
Play attacking football
When a player comes out to state that he’d prefer if his team played attacking football especially at home, he has had it up to the neck. But all hell seemed to break loose on the player for voicing his opinion on the team’s style of play. The manager felt undermined. Most fans turned on the player and he was subsequently told to keep his opinions to himself.
But events have vindicated him. The biggest case in point was the dramatic league game against Newcastle at Old Trafford. The Magpies raised to a two-goal lead in what was shaping up to be an embarrassment for both coach and club. Then Mourinho did something unconventional. He pulled out one his center-backs and brought in an attacking midfielder in Juan Mata.
From then on, it was all out attack for Manchester United. Interestingly, not only did the team keep it tight at the back, they scored thrice to turn the game on its head. For all of those who think the team’s problem is in the defence, it isn’t. That game pretty much proved that. When United attack, they peg teams back and score goals. Attack is the best form of defence, it is said.
Playing with only one center back for over sixty minutes, United did not concede. So much for the lack of ”quality” center backs in the team.
Pogba excels as an attacking midfielder. The team benefits more when it plays attacking football.
Stop criticizing him
Every top manager depends on a few key players to keep his team on top. With that understanding, they appreciate and praise them. Have you heard Ernesto Valverde’s comments on Lionel Messi? Pep Guardiola’s on Kevin De Bruyne? Maurizio Sarri’s remarks on Eden Hazard? etc.
Mourinho needs to learn to appreciate his players to get the best out of them. Instead, he is usually quick to point out their errors and point out their faults on why the team had a bad result. That certainly will not bring the best from them, Pogba included.
Protect him
One of a manager’s key responsibilities is to protect their players, not throw them under the bus at the slightest opportunity. Everyone makes mistakes. Mourinho did not like Pogba’s social media posts recently and his reaction was to cause a training ground incident that brought unnecessary negative attention to the club and a barrage of criticisms to the player.
He went on to strip him of the captain’s band humiliating the player as a result. And he wants to get the best from him? No way.
There are better ways to handle such issues without causing a media frenzy. A good father and son relationship and player management would have ensured the general public wouldn’t even know what had transpired. The player’s self-esteem would be intact and he will concentrate on his output on the pitch. That will benefit all parties involved, including the club’s results on the pitch.
