The narrative on Pogba is ridiculous but I don't expect anything else. Pogba was excellent in 16/17 and was criticised. When he led us in 18/19 during that poor season, he was criticised. He plays after COVID which Ole basically admits was his fault and Pogba's still criticised.
Pogba is criticised for not wanting to play for the team despite him leaving a title-winning team in Italy to come “home” for a rebuild project, coming back from his pre-season holiday early to help Jose in 18/19 and playing injured under Ole which actually injured him more.
The issue now is that people have this bias against Pogba when analysing his performances in midfield. Paul progresses our possession, facilitating the forwards to play their game but because he's not scoring or assisting, he's "not doing enough on the pitch". It's narrative.
When Pogba and Bruno were on the pitch and we played some of our best football under Ole last season the argument was "it was only Sheffield, Bournemouth and Villa". The same type of teams we struggled to beat earlier in the season when Pogba was injured.
Now there are people saying “we've won two and drawn one without Pogba!” It was 1-1 vs Newcastle until Pogba came on and we won 4-1. It was 1-1 vs PSG until Pogba came on and we won 2-1 — he massively changed that game. He was brought on vs Chelsea, too, to *win* the game.
I am quite confident Pogba will come back into the team as he is one of our best performers in the team and often our best whether people recognise that or not. Without Pogba, we cede possession and territory, we don't progress well, we're on the back foot often and much more.
Once Pogba is 100% ready — as stated: he was playing just after COVID which Ole, himself, basically said was an error on his part — he will come back into the team whether it be a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.
Can he play better? Of course he can and he knows that. However, the whole team can play better. It's just that Pogba's standards are higher. Pogba at 80% is more impactful than a Fred or McTominay at 90% so you start Pogba because the value is still higher even if the % is less.
Then, you work on the % to increase it. This is what Ole has done with him and he has given him time to rest whilst giving minutes to Fred and McTominay who both deserve it.

Now, Ole will slowly bring Pogba back into the XI and we'll be fine — just different.

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