Manchester United and Liverpool shared the spoils at Old Trafford on Sunday after a riveting 90 minutes of football. James Milner’s first-half penalty gave the visitors a shock lead, before Zlatan Ibrahimovic saved the day for the Red Devils with an equaliser in the dying stages.
United’s summer signing Paul Pogba had been on quite a roll recently, putting solid performances in his side’s winning run. However, against Liverpool, the Frenchman looked like a shadow of his prolific self.
For starters, he gave away a needless penalty as he handled the ball while defending a corner and looked off the pace throughout the course of the game. His passing was erratic and he did not look a composed figure on and off the ball. He was also in an unnecessary skirmish with Jordan Henderson, and was lucky to avoid any action taken against him.
Here’s how Twitter analysed Pogba’s performance:
Woeful day at the office for Pogba. He was a passenger in a game that was played around him. Failed to make his mark in a huge game.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) January 15, 2017
Evident to see that Pogba’s still got a very long way to go. Needs to take a leaf out of Zlatan’s book in how to handle big games.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) January 15, 2017
Paul Pogba’s heat map.. pic.twitter.com/Vf9BCHR6pg
— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) January 15, 2017
Henderson showed up Pogba today, big time.
— Joel Rabinowitz (@joel_archie) January 15, 2017
Another look at Pogba’s defending for the penalty. https://t.co/zhl5N19iNE
— Not Match of the Day (@NOT_MOTD) January 15, 2017
1st half from Pogba is the worst central midfield performance I’ve seen all season. I’ve seen Flamini play for Palace as well.
— Kick Arse (@kickarseHD) January 15, 2017
Just asked Pogba if the hashtag #Pogba being on the advertising hoardings most of the game put him off. He said no. I said are you sure?
— Boring James Milner (@BoringMilner) January 15, 2017
I’m surprised Sky didn’t give Pogba man of the match for successfully inhaling and exhaling to carry out the process of respiration
— Indigo ? (@IndigoLFC) January 15, 2017
Pogba needs to stop this major promotion he does around big games.
— Transfer News (@TrustyTransfers) January 15, 2017
However, fans had a bit of sympathy for him as well.
Paul Pogba has been incredible for 2 months & the driving force behind long winning run. He had an off day. He's 23. Still years from peak
— Sam Pilger (@sampilger) January 15, 2017
If people think Hazard is still world class after 8 months of doing nothing then Pogba is easily still the best CM in Europe. It was 1 game.
— adam (@FutboyAdam) January 15, 2017
Pogba is getting too much stick just because he got a emoji a day before on twitter. Man had a off day , get over it
— Nik (@CreativeMartial) January 15, 2017
