Posted on Friday, 3rd February 2012 by Jay
The young Frenchman applauds the fans at Old Trafford mid-week
“Fortune favours the brave,” is a saying I’ve often lived by, well I used to before I was arrested for speeding and lost all money playing Blackjack but it’s a saying I still believe in – especially when it comes to United.
Whenever it seems another side is about to usurp us as top dogs in domestic football Sir Alex Ferguson seems able to turn to youth and get the very best out of them, more often than not saving United’s season. In 1990 it was a young lad from Ashton named Mark Robins, who was thrust into the limelight and duly took us to Wembley- where Mark Hughes and then Lee Martin nicked all the glory ,the swines. In the early 90s when Liverpool and Leeds were relying on the likes of Barnes and Strachan, United threw Lee Sharpe and a young Welshman who’s name escapes me down our flanks as we stormed to our first ever title.
In the mid nineties when everyone thought Sir Alex had lost the plot replacing three of his best players with a crop of youngsters and a Scottish pundit made a career defining statement on how we were destined to fail, the United fans sat back and watched in awe as a team that wouldn’t have looked out of place on the set of Bugsy Malone, won not just the league but the double and did it with the sort of devil may care bravado, that even their French captain would have been proud of.
In the late 90s we saw a kid from Longsight asked to do a job against the second biggest club in the world and immediately let us all know he was destined to become a United legend.
Then there was a young Portuguese winger who was chosen in favour of the clubs most prolific scorer – if reports are to be believed- when the two had a training ground bust-up.
More recently we’ve seen unknown Mexicans -well prior to the World Cup anyway- and former non-league defenders play a massive part in delivering a record breaking nineteenth title. Nineteen, n-n-n-n-nineteen. Sorry, i just love hearing and even writing the word ‘nineteen’ for some reason. Cant think why.
United travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday level on points with ‘our -little- less-noisy -than- they -were- a -few -weeks -ago- neighbours’ Manchester City knowing that a win, in a tough game, will put more pressure on Roberto Mancini’s men, who have now won only three of their last eight games in all competitions – not the sort of form you want heading into ‘squeaky posterior time.’
It would seem logical for Sir Alex to go with his most experienced players -certainly in midfield- where Chelsea often try and dictate the game from. With Paul Scholes -if Fergie’s willing to play him twice in a week, and by rights he should- Michael Carrick and either probably Ryan Giggs or Ji-Sung Park to choose from then the smart money will be on two of them, or maybe even three, playing in the centre of the park.
There is another option though available to the United boss, one that at first may sound ridiculous, or even dangerous, but one I’m going to air anyway as it’s been on my mind for the past few days. Paul Pogba could play a role against Chelsea in fact I’m going to go one further and argue that he could start and actually be the energy and youth United need in midfield.
Don’t get me wrong I’m not just getting over-excited by his excellent cameo against Stoke, I genuinely believe from what I’ve seen of the youngster in the youth and reserves not to mention the experience he’ll have alongside him, that if Sir Alex decided to take a risk and play the young Frenchman it wouldn’t be such a bad idea.
Chelsea have a bit of bite in midfield with the likes of Meireles, Essien, Romeu or maybe David Luiz, players that aren’t afraid of mixing it up a bit, and usually have a bit of urgency to their play. Pogba could be just the perfect foil for them, a young player who doesn’t shy away from a challenge yet is capable of passing and moving, getting them on the back foot and disrupting their rhythm.
I know it’s a lot to ask, a youngster with no Premiership starts to make his full league debut at Stamford Bridge but, people thought throwing in Chicharito ahead of Berbatov was crazy at times last year, or trusting a group of youngsters to try and regain ‘our title’ was mad in 1996.
Phil Jones or maybe even dare I say Tom Cleverley could be used against Cheslea, but that could well be a much bigger risk than trying out an eighteen year old, who’s fully fit.
I may be well off the mark here, but it’s a point worth considering and you never know, sometimes Sir Alex shocks us all with his team selection and Pogba starting would certainly surprise the opposition.
Have I completely lost it? Is it a case of “a good 20 mins and you think he’s Roy Keane, Justin you muppet” or is there anyone who believes I may have a -very small- point?
Feel free to comment, suggest and abuse below:
For more United loving views follow me on twitter @jaymotty
and the site that features much better writers than I @RFFH
Also like us on Facebook
Related posts:
Tags: carrick, giggs, Pogba, scholes
Posted in Blogs, Let's hear it for the boy | Comments (27)
Man Utd News
24/7
Loading ...
February 3rd, 2012 at 5:02 am
I do agree with you. Talking about pogba I loved him and became his fan after his 20min cameo. This kid has a bit of arrogance(the good types) and confidence in his ability. We do need a player with arrogance on field(not off the field) and I feel that CR7 was the one with the perfect mixture of both arrogance and confidence. ROONEY had it too in him but has just lost it(talking about that kinky arrogance which gets under opposition’s teeth). Hope to see more of this kid in the RED DEVIL jersey
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2012 at 5:09 am
Paul Pogba is relatively very unexperienced compared to the Chelsea midfield.
He definitely has the talent to succeed though but I cannot see him starting. He might make it on the bench.
One the main reasons he had a successful, debut cameo against Stoke City, was him playing in a three man midfield which gave him, less responsibility and he was free to roam the pitch and express himself. But against a Chelsea three men midfield, space and time to express himself might be limited, and he might dissapear throughout the game altogether.
Although starting against Chelsea might prove to be a stroke of genius by Sir Alex. Provided that the Chelsea players think little of Paul Pogba and they do live him unguarded then he might prove to be a strong catalyst with his vision, crossing ability and long range shots.
Although I do believe that if Paul Scholes and Giggs started, space might open up for Paul Pogba seeing as most team try to double team them, in an attempt to stop them from dictating play.
It is all possible, lets just put our faith in SAF.
United, United, United`
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2012 at 5:14 am
I definately believe PP can cope with any challenge of the bridge along side the ginger prince..the young man has composure,can’t see why saf trust him and give him a starting spot against the pensioneers on sunday.and on current form i can’t see chelsea preventing us,returning to north with all three points in the bag. GGMU.
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2012 at 5:24 am
I would love to say your completely rightf. This is the way I see midfield against Chelsea Giggs, Pogba, Scholes, Valencia with the two veterans helping Pogba push forward, we need to believe in the youth.
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2012 at 6:25 am
cactually i wouldnt abuse you…a very well thought out article….until ando and cleverly are ready we can play pogba in cameos stating him against a team like chelsea against players like mata, meireles, lampard, essien etc might just dent his confidence a bit or maybe give it a massive thump up in the air as he did feel like at home against stoke….id give a second half cameo just like fegie gave cleverly in his first match against man city and then see what happens!!!!
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2012 at 7:29 am
i also think pogba should play against chelsea, if it is possible he should start, he had a good 20mins against stock few days back, he didn’t have any dull moment, and i think he is good enough to start against chelsea, he is very energytic and strong in challenges. Fegie should jst try and give him a try, and if fegie finaly gives him a try am not sure he will be in a hury to leave as he is out of contract at the moment.
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2012 at 7:31 am
i also think pogba should play against chelsea, if it is possible he should start, he had a good 20mins against stock few days back, he didn’t have any dull moment, and i think he is good enough to start against chelsea, he is very energytic and strong in challenges. Fegie should just try and give him a try, and if fegie finaly gives him a try am not sure he will be in a hury to leave as he is out of contract at the moment.
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2012 at 7:36 am
I agree with you, sometimes you have to take a risk and i think it would pay off with pogba.
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2012 at 7:51 am
this guy derserves more first team action…but start against Chelsea might be a bit early….
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2012 at 8:11 am
Sounds like it could be a plan can’t be any worse than carrick playing, plus pogba’s youth and scholes’s experience could be the peferect match for a game like this.
Much love peco
[Reply]
expertanswers Reply:
February 3rd, 2012 at 7:13 pm
Peco….you obviously have not been watching the same team the rest of us have. If had you had you would know MC has been one of our best players only bettered by Valencia and Scholes in my opinion…and i watch a lot of football including teams i do not have any remote interest in….as well as MU fan i am a fan of football…
[Reply]
rymanu1 Reply:
February 4th, 2012 at 12:35 am
completely agree! I’ve been one of the first to abuse MC in the past, but this season he has really stepped up his game.. Valencia too has really improved.
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2012 at 8:48 am
Abuse.
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2012 at 8:56 am
what the saying ” if you’re good enough you’re old enough
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2012 at 10:56 am
Great shout; I would have no problem with this; sadly I doubt it will happen but I have been waiting months to see Pogba start. He is quality! If he did start and did well then Utd would have put Pogba under immense pressure; he would have dealt with it which is great as the biggest problem we have about other players is that they can’t handle the pressure. COME ON SAF, GIVE THE BOY A CHANCE!
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2012 at 11:36 am
After watching PP a few times at reserve level and after that cameo stoke, I think he could definitely play a part, as long as he is paired with Scholes or Carrick. Not being funny, but Chelsea have only won half of their games this season and have been outplayed by much lesser teams and in fact, much lesser players than Pogba. If confidence is high, not only in Paul but the rest of the team, with up to 5 players returning I’d rather see the lad play!!! He’s quick, strong, passes well and is what we have been missing!!! If he doesn’t play I hope his agent doesn’t advise him to move on and we lose a potential world class midfielder.
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2012 at 12:56 pm
Would love to see him start but I can’t see him having a major part to play whilst his contract remains unresolved. Plus Cleverley could play a part, Scholes is back and Carrick is in better form. Very much doubt he’ll play a part at all.
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2012 at 2:25 pm
Absolutely not. Granted, he had a great cameo against an already tired Stoke midfield, but he also had a poor performance against Leeds in the cup a couple of months earlier. Chelsea are gathering momentum, and most of their players (especially in midfield) are considered to be top top performers. I’d go for experience in this game, without a doubt. Scholes and Carrick are our strongest midfield pairing at the moment, and throwing a fresh Pogba in the deep-end against Lampard, Ramires, Meireles and Mata would most likely give them the chance to boss the game. Pogba IS on the rise, but he’s not even close to be considered a starter.
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2012 at 2:33 pm
Starting him might hurt his confidence. And to those abusing Carrick, who is the most in-form manu midfielder? If he were to be a spaniard, I assure you that he will b a starter in barca….
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2012 at 4:33 pm
From the game against Stoke,PP has shown that he is up for the challenge. He should be given more playing time to prove what he is capable of. His movements and positioning and to some extent his passes have shown that MU should keep him at all cost. But it would be advisable for SAF to bring him in the last half an hour depending on the score.
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2012 at 8:00 pm
I totaly agree with you dude, with carrick and the ginger prince seating deeply @ the middle of the park and the new wonder kid i.e paul pogba ahead of them in a diamond formation, then GOD save any oppenent that will come against these red-hot man utd team at the moment.
[Reply]
February 3rd, 2012 at 9:59 pm
I dont like posting on ‘top articles’ as David at the United Religion will testify.
I am desperately shy, Justin.About our club around the net.I like to defend my posts.
Although when I post Justin,no lads actually challenge my view, I would only encourage them, and will always read, their opinion and take-on board, their view.
I respect all lads views.Its just my manner.
I posted last night on the fabulous Busby Way, my view on Paul Pogba( with video’s) To support my post.
You provided a strong arguememt for his inclusion from the start at the Bridge.
If he was truly ready, would he not have been played, at a more important game( than the Potters) so far?
Do you want to destroy a huge potential Justin.
I think not Red.
I think tease him, like all great things.’Keep your gun powder dry’.
Its worth it just for pointing the finger.
Told you so the manager had the midfield in his mind.
Patience, not a fricken card – game.
[Reply]
February 4th, 2012 at 12:56 am
Do not overrate Pogba. Just take a look at Morrison or Bébé. It is brilliant to allow the young players 20 even 30 mins per match, also Stoke isn’t known for its midfield, whereas Chelsea has a much more experienced midfield. I’d put him on the bench and give him some mins at the end, but I wouldn’t have the lad in the starting XI right now.
[Reply]
February 4th, 2012 at 8:47 am
Nice thought but very ambitious. The guy has just made a cameo appearance in a 3 man midfield against average opposition at home in a game that was won. It’s a big different to playing from the start away from home against Chelsea in a critical match.
[Reply]
February 4th, 2012 at 10:20 am
this is off the point but mark robins gets too much credit for that fa cup goal in 1990 what about the ball in from the left with the outside of his right boot by sparky it landed right on his head anyone would of put that away.pogba won,t start get real he,ll be given a chance to grow like all the rest and he,ll take it too by the looks of things but to start in a game like this no way can,t see it .
[Reply]
February 4th, 2012 at 11:03 am
[...] http://redflagflyinghigh.com/2012/02/blogs/is-pogba-starting-at-chelsea-such-a-bad-idea Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this [...]
February 5th, 2012 at 12:15 pm
I will like to see him make more cameo appearances. It is too much ask of an 18yr old to depend on him against Chelsea when we are under pressure to go back joint top with Man City. I also think Ryan Giggs needs a rest. He has be playing very lazy over head passes lately. We need Park Ji Sung energy in the midfield today. Scholes, Carrick, Park and Valencia should start in midfield.
[Reply]