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:
Abuse.
what the saying ” if you’re good enough you’re old enough
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!
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.
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.
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.
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….
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.
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.
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.