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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
As quoted by Sky Sports, Denis Irwin has insisted Paul Pogba is “vitally important” to Manchester United’s chances of success this season.
What did he say?
The France World Cup winner was the subject of intense transfer speculation over the course of the summer transfer window, with reports suggesting Real Madrid were intent on signing him.
However, a move away for the 26-year-old failed to materialise, and Irwin has now revealed Pogba’s ability on the ball marks him out as a “big, big player” for the club.
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He said: “There’s not too many players of Paul’s quality. He’s got plenty of players in front of him who have got great pace and I think he’s got the understanding of being able to pick a great pass.
“We need consistency out of him sometimes but going forward now and particularly where we’ve started dominating games he’s going to be a big, big player for us. I think every team needs a risk taker but I look at him and think he’s the one that can unlock doors.
“We’ve created enough chances to win games so he’s going to be vitally important for us.”
Narrative
Pogba’s transfer saga dominated the headlines this summer, and then his role in the penalty debacle against Wolves cast an even bigger shadow over his United future. The Frenchman undoubtedly has his critics, but scratch beyond the surface, and the 26-year-old has arguably been one of the Red Devils’ better performers this season.
United legend Paul Scholes criticised the former Juventus star for giving the ball away far too many times against Southampton, but what didn’t get mentioned was the fact he played four key passes – the highest of any player in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side.
Pogba’s willingness to try those high-risk, high-reward passes means he is always likely to have a lower passing accuracy. But as was the case for Marcus Rashford’s second goal against Chelsea, when he does get his range right, it can be such a devastating attacking weapon for United.
Out of players who have played more than two games in the Premier League this season for the Red Devils, Pogba’s average of 2.8 key passes per game is more than double that of the man below him, Luke Shaw.
If United are to unlock defences and score goals this season, the Frenchman will have to be at his risk-taking best.
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