Why Pogba Will Prove Critics Wrong

It seemed ridiculous that some people were questioning the wisdom of Manchester United investing a world-record sum in Paul Pogba when we were only in mid-September.

The Frenchman is a monster of a midfielder and, in my opinion, if ever there was somebody suited to the rigours of the Premier League, it is the 23-year-old.

Of course, he knows United inside out already and has the class and stamina to impose himself on matches no matter how demanding the campaign will become. In short, he will become a major influence and is only going to get better as he reaches his peak years.

Personally, I think he will be at his world-class best over the taxing winter period when he will be bullying opponents and helping United pick up vital points. By then, he will also have properly reacclimatised to life back in the English top flight. In the meantime, I have no doubts, he will prove his worth for Jose Mourinho's side as he adapts to his role in the team.

The reason for my confidence is not only his ability, which was already shown in abundance in the home game against Southampton when he was outstanding, but other things you notice. From the stands, it was reassuring to witness the quiet word and gee-up he had for pal Jesse Lingard during the first half of the Manchester derby during a break in play.

It was a show of maturity and solidarity and, soon afterwards, Lingard set up Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the chance that could have sent the Reds in level at the break. This illustration of the character that comes with being brought up at United means he is on a sound footing in that regard.  

The defeats that followed to Feyenoord and Watford brought renewed scrutiny on our record buy, which was inevitable but also somewhat unfair. He was said to have been shouting at his colleagues in Rotterdam, which was deemed a negative, even if it could have been another example of his leadership qualities and proved he was caring that things were not going the Reds' way.

I heard somebody in the media describe him as "invisible" at Vicarage Road, presumably forgetting the thunderbolt long-range drive that dipped a second too late when leaving Heurelho Gomes' crossbar reverberating for some time. Had that shot gone in, there would have been no debate about Pogba and his overall contribution leading into the victory over Leicester City.

Of course, we all know what happened against the champions at Old Trafford on Saturday. Not only did the Frenchman score his first senior goal for the club but he was exceptional and won the Man-of-the-Match award. The pass he provided for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, when the Swede fired a volley over the top, was sensational and suggests he is starting to get on the same wavelength as his colleagues.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing but, in truth, most of my thoughts here were formulated long before our no.6 stepped out onto the pitch at the weekend. I am sure I am like most United fans in not having a single worry as to how Pogba will fare back at the club. He is going to be a spectacular signing and a key man for Jose Mourinho.

The views expressed in this article are personal to the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of Manchester United.

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