Promising Points: Pogba's Stockholm Strike

This week, we're looking back at some of the moments from last season which are making ManUtd.com journalists look forward to 2017/18 with optimism...

When Paul Pogba allowed Marouane Fellaini's pass to run across his body and took aim with his left foot 19 minutes into the UEFA Europa League final, it was to prove a decisive moment in Manchester United's long 2016/17 campaign.

The shot hit Ajax defender Davinson Sanchez to leave goalkeeper Andre Onana helpless as it took an age to loop into the net. The United fans in Stockholm's Friends Arena celebrated and Pogba released some of his emotions after finding the net for a second successive game.

One can only imagine the stress the world-record signing must have been placed under when his father, Fassou Antoine Pogba, tragically lost a lengthy battle against illness less than a fortnight earlier. It was clear there was relief among the jubilation as the France international danced around the stadium following his team's eventual 2-0 victory.

The midfielder's form had been scrutinised in many quarters, with some pundits clearly keen to remain consistent in their judgement that nobody is worth the sort of fee paid to Juventus last summer. The fact Pogba's former club had coped well enough without him to again win the Scudetto in Italy and to reach the Champions League final - two feats the Bianconeri had achieved in his time there - was also used as an attempt to downplay his influence.

Yet seasoned United watchers will have appreciated the 24-year-old's contribution in his first full year in the Premier League. Adding a new dimension to the midfield, he has qualities that will ensure he becomes one of the best players in his position on the planet, if he has already not reached such a lofty level.

The strength in possession, domineering presence, physical prowess and moments of jaw-dropping skill mark Pogba out as a unique talent. The strikes against Crystal Palace and Ajax add weight to the argument that a better goal return will instantly earn him the sort of acclaim his overall work probably deserves.

When absent from the side towards the end of the season, he was sorely missed but he racked up 49 starts in any case - more than any of his colleagues. Nine goals in all competitions, five in the Premier League, may have been below par but the fact the woodwork denied him on nine occasions suggests how unlucky he was not to, at the very least, hit double figures. He also had a goal disallowed, against Anderlecht in the Europa League.

Arguably even more important than his proficiency in finding the net is his creative output and his final league figure of four assists should have been much higher. However, it is not the fault of the passer when a chance goes begging and he always looked capable of providing opportunities, particularly with his intelligent through balls.

By scoring and playing well in Stockholm, Pogba ended his first season back in red on a high. He clearly has the faith of his manager, and the club's supporters, and should mature into one of the top performers in the division in time. Certainly, his subsequent sublime showing for France in the friendly win over England further whetted the appetite of every Reds fan. When the 2017/18 campaign kicks off, look out for the Frenchman showing how quickly he can reach his peak.

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

Credit: Manutd.com