Paul Pogba holds the key to United’s success against West Ham
After a disappointing start to the season, Manchester United managed to breathe some life to their campaign with victories over Burnley and Watford. However, the Red Devils were held to a 1-1 draw by an impressive Wolverhampton Wanderers outfit last weekend.
Just when it looked like Jose Mourinho’s men were getting ready to build on the positives, their campaign was once again derailed by the penalty shootout defeat at the hands of Frank Lampard’s Derby County in the third round of the League Cup. Jose Mourinho did not make too many changes and fielded a Premier League quality line-up but United were unable to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and allowed the Championship side to dominate the proceedings for large quarters.
And it won’t get any easier for the Red Devils when they make the trip to London Stadium to take on West Ham United on Saturday. Just like United, West Ham made a horrible start to the season but the Hammers seem to have gotten their act together with positive results against Everton and Chelsea.
Paul Pogba, who currently earns £290,000-a-week, wasn’t a part of the matchday squad for the League Cup game but he should return to action against West Ham. The Frenchman has been United’s standout player in the midfield by a long margin and the Red Devils weren’t able to control the central areas of the pitch in his absence. As a result, Derby had a majority of the possession which allowed them to create numerous chances.
Undoubtedly, Pogba is United’s midfield general and he will once again hold the key to their success on Saturday. In the last two games, West Ham effortlessly controlled the proceedings in the midfield and Declan Rice has been their standout performer.
The 19-year-old Irishman has not only dictated the tempo of the midfield with his flawless passing but has also played as a shield for the rearguard. Working in tandem with Pedro Obiang, he has broken up the play with crucial interceptions and tackles and often shifts himself inside the box to help out the centre-backs.
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Manchester United must bank on Pogba to get the better of Rice in the midfield. That is the only way United can get a stranglehold on the game and set up the attacks. A complete midfielder, Pogba should aim to stamp his authority in the midfield and spark some creativity in the final third by linking up with the other attackers – just how he did against Wolves to set up Fred for the opening goal.
However, he will need support from the likes of Nemanja Matic and Marouane Fellaini to combat the trio of Rice, Obiang and Mark Noble. The fate of the match could well be decided in the central areas of the park.
