[ad_1]
When Paul Pogba signed for Manchester United in a world record £ 89.1 million transfer from Juventus in August 2016, it was for nights like this at Burnley. Nights the French midfielder made a contribution to winning a match in a great game that resulted in the club moving to the top of the Premier League table.
Unfortunately for United and Pogba, those moments have come infrequently. But finally, after so many years of disappointment, United are now back at the top of the pile and their most frustrating and highest-profile player was the man who made it happen.
– Stream ESPN FC daily on ESPN + (US only)
– ESPN + Spectator Guide: Bundesliga, Serie A, MLS, FA Cup and more
Pogba’s goal in the 71st minute at Turf Moor, a deflected volley from a cross by Marcus Rashford, was enough to seal a 1-0 win for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team, but the importance of the goal was far greater than the points he achieved. . The victory extended United’s unbeaten streak away from home in the Premier League to 15 games, a streak dating back to last January’s 2-0 loss at Liverpool, and ensured they will return to Anfield this Sunday as league leaders. , with a triple. -one point advantage over the reigning champions Jurgen Klopp.
Featured
- Van de Beek makes a strong case for an additional role in Man United Ole’s message to Man Utd: Don’t think the Liverpool vs. United title race is a box office, but Man City is a team to watch.
2 Related
“We know that we are going to be the champions,” said Solskjaer. “They have had three incredible seasons, so we are ready for that.
“But we are ready and excited, we are hungry and it is a test of character and quality again. We are in a good position to do it.”
Just twelve months ago, United were 27 points behind Liverpool when they made the short trip to Anfield. Tuesday’s 1-0 win at Burnley completed an incredible 33-point swing for United in the time since. Another victory over the weekend will put United six points behind their traditional rivals and confirm, if necessary, that Solskjaer’s side is firmly in the pursuit of the title.
United have not been a leader at this stage of the season since they last won the league in 2012-13. Liverpool and Manchester City can be said to still have more depth and pedigree than Solskjaer’s side, but the victory at Burnley underscored United’s durability and readiness to fight for a 21st league title.
Paul Pogba hasn’t scored too many decisive goals since returning to Old Trafford, but his win against Burnley on Tuesday could prove crucial in Man United’s title dispute. (Photo by Clive Brunskill / Getty Images
Since losing to Arsenal in early November, United have accumulated 29 points out of 33 possible and are becoming more convincing as a defensive unit with each game; this result was United’s first clean sheet away from home in the league this season. But against a tenacious Burnley side determined to make things difficult for Solskjaer’s side, United kept their patience and made their way until Pogba broke the deadlock in the final stages.
At that point, United should have already been a goal ahead, with a header from Harry Maguire in the first half that was disallowed by an apparent push on defender Erik Pieters. Referee Kevin Friend’s decision was not reviewed by VAR, leaving United to complain that they were harshly denied what would have been a brilliantly taken first match.
The VAR had already intervened in a confusing, but ultimately correct way, early in the game, and United defender Luke Shaw eventually ended up with a yellow card for a foul on Johann Gudmundsson. Shaw’s foul nullified a subsequent incident at the other end of the field, when Robbie Brady was booked for a foul on Edinson Cavani that was reviewed by the VAR as a possible red card infraction for denying an obvious scoring opportunity. But because the Shaw incident came first, Brady broke free.
As United dominated possession but failed to find a breakthrough, the VAR controversies seemed to be the main talking point of the game, but Pogba’s goal changed the narrative to one of United doing the job, despite the defensive mentality of the game. VAR and Burnley.
Since his agent, Mino Raiola, claimed last month that Pogba wanted to leave United, the 27-year-old has found his form and is now playing his best football since rejoining the club from Juve for four and a half years. make. Whether it’s a coincidence or that Raiola’s words gave Pogba a sense of freedom, United won’t care if the result is that the player continues to make a difference like he did at Burnley.
Pogba has already scored 27 Premier League goals for United, but this was only the third time one of them has decided a match where the margin has been one goal. That’s the kind of influence a player of Pogba’s stature and reputation should have on a much more consistent basis. If this is the start of something along those lines, it could be the difference between United being a title challenger and a team that can actually go and win it.
Solskjaer knows precisely the difference Pogba can make.
“I’ve always said that Paul is a great player for us,” Solskjaer said. “He’s a good character in the locker room, he’s someone the guys are looking for, he’s a world champion. We’re seeing the best of Paul right now.”
But the challenge now, for United and Pogba, is to take advantage of this victory and show that they are serious about winning the title. While United have the talent, questions remain as to whether they have the depth. Yet they delivered at Burnley and did what they had to do.
“We knew if we won we would be the best in the league when we played Liverpool,” Pogba said. “We have to stay calm, now is the great time. We will see what will happen.
“It will be a beautiful game for everyone. A great game is coming, so let’s get ready.”
Source: espn.co.uk
[ad_2]
