Saturday’s Manchester derby was an emotional roller coaster. Sitting 15 points back of rivals and Champions elect Manchester City, Manchester United were attempting to add another high point to an up and down season.
City could clinch the title with a win vs Manchester United. Not only was pride and bragging rights on the line, but a chance to spoil City’s premature title party and spare the club from another nightmare that plagued them in the 2011-12 season.
City found themselves up after a set piece goal from captain Vincent Kompany to make it 1-0. Then, United went down another goal after a line drive kick from David De Gea went straight to Leroy Sane. He found Gundogan who did a sublime turn and shoot to put City up 2-0.
City were flying and could taste that Premier League title. United were 45 minutes away from experiencing the worst type of deja vu.
United were not about to go down without a fight and were looking for a savior to bring them back from the brink.
Paul Pogba was the man to remedy a comeback.
Pogba has been under the thumb of speculation and criticism since his big money move from Juventus back to Manchester United in the 2016 season.
He has been doubted as the man to bring United back to glory and has been seen to justify his enormous price tag for a central midfielder.
In addition to his up and down play and supposed fallout with manager Jose Mourinho, Pogba was in need to show why he is the man to lead United forward.
Saturday’s second half was that moment. Down 2-0 away from home with rivals City about to clinch the title, Pogba put in the shift of his life.
He led the charge back by scoring 2 goals. The first off of some nice link up play from Sanchez and Herrera who chested the ball down in space for the Frenchman to knock the ball past Ederson.
Shortly after the first goal, the second off of a beautiful counter attack where Sanchez’s lofted ball into the box. Pogba was the attacker there to head the ball down and away into the corner to make it 2-2.
The 2 goals on Saturday marked his 5th goal of the season. But it’s not just his goals that contributed to United’s win on Saturday. It is his ability to control the pace of play and win the ball back in the midfield. Additionally, Pogba drives the attack forward that he thrives.
Also, Pogba doesn’t have to score or assist for him to make an impact on the pitch. He is adept and extremely skilled at winning the ball back from the opposition. When he does, his dribbling techniques allow him to elude defenders and escape some tricky situations.
Pogba averages about 65 passes a game with about 50% of those coming from in the final third when he is playing in a more advanced attacking role.
His tackling is at a 75% completion percentage for the 2017-2018 season.
Pogba showed on Saturday that he can step up and be the leader that Manchester United crave. That he can dig deep and provide the attacking edge United need when the forwards aren’t clicking.
Next: 5 iconic moments in Manchester United history
It’s not about the goals. Its about the leadership capabilities. There is still room to grow for Pogba in both respects but he is the type of powerful and brash young player to lead United towards a bright future.