?Thierry Henry has claimed that the underwhelming nature of Paul Pogba’s first season at Old Trafford is the result of Jose Mourinho’s handling of the French midfielder.
The former Arsenal and Barcelona striker expressed his opinion in his column for Sky Sports, saying that Mourinho has played Pogba too deep for Manchester United this season and as a result is not making the most of the 24-year-old’s strengths.
Henry wrote: “It was also going to be difficult for Paul Pogba. They don’t use Pogba where he should be playing – he’s not a holding midfielder. He likes to play higher or off the left.
“You lose a bit of him when he plays deeper.
“I think his second season can be better. He’s got much more to offer.”
While the £89m signing has not been massively impressive in front of goal – eight in all competitions – and registering few assists (six) in his 50 appearances for United this season, Pogba has excelled in other areas which suggest that maybe critics have been slightly unfair on him at times.
The former Juventus midfielder has excelled in comparison to United’s other midfielders when it comes to completing the most dribbles, forward passes and through-balls, while he was only second to Ander Herrera when it comes to winning back possession in the midfield. He has created a ?league-high amount of chances (53) and made more passes than any other Premier League midfielder (1726).
Due to the nature of his transfer fee fans could be forgiven for expecting more from Pogba, but these stats show that he has been operating as an all-rounder and that maybe the rest will fall into place next season – especially if major signings are recruited in the summer to play alongside him as Henry suggested. United are expected to be active in the summer transfer window.
Henry has made the case for playing Pogba further forward – although it will remain to be seen if he will ever play in this kind of role in a team with Mourinho at the helm.
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