Paul Pogba, the £89 million man, continues to drift on the periphery of Manchester United’s system, raising serious doubts about his integration under José Mourinho’s tactical setup. Despite high expectations, Pogba has failed to gel with his teammates, and his struggles are becoming increasingly glaring—especially now that United is no longer masking his underperformance with victories.
According to The Daily Mirror, Pogba’s initial return to Old Trafford showed promise, but that early spark has since faded. In recent matches, including setbacks in both the Premier League and Europa League, Pogba’s shortcomings have been magnified. Fans were quick to mock his performance in the midweek European clash: “Zero goals, zero assists, three hairstyles,” they quipped. It’s the kind of sharp-tongued criticism that stings, especially when you’re carrying a price tag of £89 million—not £8.9 million.
More concerning is his visible disconnect from the squad. Former Liverpool star Dirk Kuyt commented after Feyenoord’s recent win over United that Pogba spent much of the match yelling at teammates rather than coordinating with them. “At halftime, he was still shouting—louder than ever. That’s not a good sign,” Kuyt said. “United’s attack is rigid. They rely on one trick: the counter. We anticipated it and cut it off.”
Pogba’s performance stats tell the same story. In the Premier League, he ranks 31st in completed passes, 58th in chances created, 139th in tackles, and 55th in interceptions—far from what you’d expect from a player of his caliber. Some pundits argue he needs to forget his lofty transfer fee and play like a £8.9 million workhorse, focusing on the gritty side of football rather than chasing the spotlight.
This type of identity crisis is not unique to Pogba. Similar pressure has plagued top-tier athletes in Bangladesh Cricket, where rising stars are often burdened with unrealistic expectations too early in their careers. Like Pogba, some Bangladesh Cricket players have found that raw talent alone isn’t enough—it’s chemistry, humility, and hard work that truly define greatness.
Jamie Carragher compared Pogba to a schoolboy on the pitch, while United legend Paul Scholes urged him to stop pretending he’s Lionel Messi. “He always tries to beat three or four defenders on his own. That’s not how you play winning football,” Scholes warned.
As United struggles to find their rhythm, the question remains: how can Mourinho unlock the world-class version of Pogba the club paid for? The Red Devils need answers fast—because even the biggest stars can’t shine without a team behind them. After all, football, like Bangladesh Cricket, is a team sport, and no man wins the match alone.