Paul Merson believes most managers would have refused to play Paul Pogba in Manchester United’s trip to Manchester City last week - because of his haircut!
Pogba turned up to the Etihad with sky blue and white hair, the same color as Manchester City’s famous home kit.
Like Manchester United, the Frenchman struggled in the first half, with City racing into a 2-0 lead which so easily could have been more.
But a brace from Paul Pogba helped turn the game on its head in the second half and United ran out 3-2 winners.
Merson says both Mourinho and Pogba’s positions at the club would have been under threat if United lost that game.
He believes Mourinho put his faith in Pogba, something other managers would not have done.
Paul Pogba scored a brace in Man Utd's win over Man City
Paul Pogba celebrates with Man Utd fans after the win over Man CitySun, April 8, 2018
Paul Pogba was spotted celebrating enthusiastically with Manchester United fans after the 3-2 win over Manchester City
Paul Pogba went wild with his celebrations after Manchester United beat Manchester City 3-2
I think any other manager would have said ‘you’re not getting on the coach, you’re not getting on the coach'
Paul Merson on Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho
“I think he’d have been in a tricky position,” Merson said of Jose Mourinho.
“I thought Pogba’s Manchester United career was on the line at halftime if I’m being honest.
“Never got a touch, dying his hair blue and white, I didn’t get that. I think Mourinho threw him out there.
“I think any other manager would have said ‘you’re not getting on the coach, you’re not getting on the coach, I’m not having that’.
sportsperson says most managers would not have played Paul Pogba against Man City
“And I think he’s just gone ‘right, you’re out, I’m going to put you out there in the lion's den’.
“Credit where credit’s due. To come back from 2-0 down.
“You’re playing against a team that could have been seven up, he would have virtually had to push these out of the dressing room.
“When the bell went for the second half, there wouldn’t have been too many rushing out for the second half.”
Paul Pogba celebrates with Man Utd fans after the win over Man CitySun, April 8, 2018
Paul Pogba was spotted celebrating enthusiastically with Manchester United fans after the 3-2 win over Manchester City
Paul Pogba went wild with his celebrations after Manchester United beat Manchester City 3-2
I think any other manager would have said ‘you’re not getting on the coach, you’re not getting on the coach'
Paul Merson on Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho
“I think he’d have been in a tricky position,” Merson said of Jose Mourinho.
“I thought Pogba’s Manchester United career was on the line at halftime if I’m being honest.
“Never got a touch, dying his hair blue and white, I didn’t get that. I think Mourinho threw him out there.
“I think any other manager would have said ‘you’re not getting on the coach, you’re not getting on the coach, I’m not having that’.
sportsperson says most managers would not have played Paul Pogba against Man City“And I think he’s just gone ‘right, you’re out, I’m going to put you out there in the lion's den’.
“Credit where credit’s due. To come back from 2-0 down.
“You’re playing against a team that could have been seven up, he would have virtually had to push these out of the dressing room.
“When the bell went for the second half, there wouldn’t have been too many rushing out for the second half.”
No comments:
Post a Comment