MU 'summons' Pogba amid crisis storm
With MU sinking deeper into crisis, the idea of signing a short-term contract with Paul Pogba suddenly emerged as a potential solution.
Pogba is expected to return to the pitch in March after serving a doping ban. During his two spells at Man Utd, the French midfielder made a total of 233 appearances, scoring 39 goals and providing 48 assists. These numbers partly reflect his inherent talent.
When Pogba returned to Old Trafford in 2016, he was one of the most sought-after midfielders in the world. However, his time with the "Red Devils" did not go as smoothly as expected, with persistent injuries, fluctuating form and noise off the field.
Many fans breathed a sigh of relief when Man Utd let Pogba leave on a free transfer in 2022. However, in the context of the "Red Devils" squad being seriously short of personnel, considering bringing Pogba back is no longer a "crazy" idea.
MU is facing a difficult problem in terms of force when a series of players such as Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount all have long-term injuries. Even in the recent loss to Tottenham, on the bench of Man Utd, only Victor Lindelof was the only player over 19 years old.
Former player Rio Ferdinand is also one of those who has spoken out in support of Pogba's possible reunion with his old team. According to him, Pogba may not be a long-term solution for MU, but he can bring the necessary creativity and breakthrough in the short term.
Coach Ruben Amorim often prioritizes a physical style of play, high-intensity pressing and mobility in midfield. These are not Pogba’s outstanding strengths. However, if deployed higher up the pitch as one of the two attacking midfielders, Pogba can maximize his creativity and sharp passing.
In fact, Man Utd are one of the teams with the worst scoring efficiency in the Premier League, with only 28 goals in 25 matches. Pogba may not be at his peak anymore, but with his skillful individual technique, sharp tactical vision and excellent passing ability, he can completely help MU solve the problem of creativity in the midfield.
From a personal perspective, a short-term contract of 3 months could be an opportunity for Pogba to prove that he is still capable of playing at the highest level. If he plays impressively, Pogba could completely open the door to join another big club in the summer.
Furthermore, after a long period of not playing, Pogba may no longer demand the same sky-high salary as before. Combined with Aston Villa currently paying 75% of Marcus Rashford's salary under a new deal, United's wage bill could be enough to cover a short-term contract with Pogba.
Another option is that MU can negotiate a contract that pays based on the number of matches played to minimize financial risks. If Pogba does not meet expectations, MU will not suffer too much damage, because their chance of qualifying for the European Cup next season is almost gone.
In another context, Pogba's return to Man Utd might just be a "harmless" rumor. However, in the current situation of "thirst" for personnel and severe lack of ideas, this could be a "gamble" worth trying for the "Red Devils".
Pogba may not be the perfect solution, but with just a few moments of brilliance over the remainder of the season, he could help the team, which is languishing in 15th place in the Premier League, ease some of the frustrations of a turbulent season.