Pogba's Post Problem

Manchester United have hit the woodwork a remarkable 19 times this season - and no Premier League player has done so more often than Paul Pogba.

The Frenchman saw a fine free-kick cannon back off an upright against Hull City in Tuesday's EFL Cup semi-final win, which is the seventh time he's been denied by the woodwork across all competitions.

In the Premier League, Pogba struck the bar against Watford and Stoke and hit the upright with a free-kick against Spurs before doing the same against Sunderland and Middlesbrough, first with a curling effort from distance and then with an overhead kick. He's also hit the post in United's 1-0 EFL Cup win over Manchester City.

While the incidents will have proved frustrating for the world's most expensive player, in only one game have his misses cost United points - the 1-1 home draw with Stoke.

Had that header gone in, United would have been two points better off than they are now - but they have also dropped points in draws against Burnley, Everton and West Ham after hitting the frame of the goal.

In total United could be eight points better off, had all of their Premier League strikes against the post and bar gone in. Those additional points would put them second in the Premier League on 47 points, just two behind leaders Chelsea.

Manchester City are second on the list, with 17 shots hitting the woodwork across all competitions, while their attacking midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, like Pogba, has also hit the bar and post a combined seven times this season. 

In contrast Sunderland, managed by former Manchester United boss David Moyes, have hit the woodwork just once in 24 fixtures. 

Credit: Sksyports.com