Are Sanchez and Pogba getting in each others way?
- Arpan Bhattacharjee
- Apr 13, 2018
- 4 min read
When Paul Scholes eventually retired after a trophy laden 19 year career at United, the Old Trafford faithful knew that they were losing a midfield maestro. Someone who held that midfield together all that time. After 2 years of failed attempts and mediocre players, United finally had to break their bank to bring back their prodigal son.Paul Labile Pogba.
A world record signing costing United 90 million pounds. A walking, talking, breathing statement of intent from the Red Devils. Someone who could easily dominate that midfield for the next 15 years.
Fast forward 18 months and United were again gearing up for another world superstar. Ever since Cristiano Ronaldo left rainy Manchester for sunny pastures of Madrid, United lacked a superstar in that No. 7 shirt. A shirt previously worn by footballing legends like George Best, Bryan Robson, Eric Cantona, David Beckham. After Ronaldo, that shirt was worn by many, but all crumbled under pressure. Pressure of the history and heritage of that shirt. Eagerly waiting 10 years for someone mentally strong enough to put it on and put on a show every weekend in front of the Stretford End. In came the little Chilean from Arsenal. Someone who embodied winning. Someone who could carry a whole team on his own. A shirt made for wizards, magicians, craftsmen finally looked set to get its new bearer. Alexis Sanchez.
2 months in and we have a new problem. Pogba and Sanchez were taking up similar positions and getting in each others way. Funny isn't it? Two of the top talents of world football combining together to produce almost nothing. In a double pivot(2 in CM), Pogba always decided to move forward leaving Matic alone behind. Sanchez on the other hand dropped deep to get the ball as United failed to dominate the midfield. The two stars played individually and not as a team. Any opposition team could easily crowd the midfield and pass around a helpless Matic. Jonjo Shelvey made the utmost use of this against United at St.James's Park. Thus, Mourinho dropped Pogba for Scott Mctominay. Scott has more discipline thus United could have a strong hold on the midfield. But then again, Mctominay didn't have the creativity and vision of Paul Pogba. Thus the scenario of Sanchez dropping deep still existed. This had United hierarchy,fans and the manager at the helm,Jose Mourinho,were all worried.
Sanchez didn't try to hide his problems from the fans and gave social media updates about his difficult times in Manchester. Everyone knew the character Sanchez was during his time at the North London based club. Frequent rumors of fights and quarrels in the dressing room was caused by the Chilean who never held back criticizing his colleagues at Arsenal.
Bad performances, goalless draws and losses to teams like Newcastle United followed. This caused a huge diversion for the players in the dressing room. A diversion that led United to crash out of Champions League Round of 16 against mid table Spanish opposition Sevilla. The pressure mounted and Mourinho finally was left with no choice and had to drop both the superstars.
Then followed an international break. A 15 day period when all players leave their clubs for their national duty. This change in the surroundings worked wonders for Manchester United. The negativity from the press, opposition fans seem to die down in that 15 day period and Mourinho worked on the tactical side of the team to embed the two superstars in the team. After the players came back from that break, United looked a different proposition. Both Sanchez and Pogba looked like had found a spring in their step. Pogba was currently playing the quarter back role where him and Nemanja Matic dictate the tempo of the game from central midfield and let the likes of Lukaku, Sanchez, Rashford, Martial and Mata do the destruction.
Sanchez has finally looked the player he was at Arsenal. He scored 1 and assisted another against Swansea at Old Trafford. If there was one day United fans wanted their super duo to show up, it was at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday,7 April 2018. A day that gave Manchester City a lifetime opportunity to beat their rivals in front of their fans and lift the title. A dark day that will be forever etched in footballing history. United faced a strong Manchester City side. A Manchester City side that have been ruthless, and demolished almost every opposition in front of them.
Verbal grenades were a common theme as Manchester City manager,Pep Guardiola,openly claimed how Paul Pogba was offered to him a month ago. United had fans questioned the loyalty of their talisman and some even wanted him to leave. The red side of Manchester were already gearing up for a humiliating day.
At half time, nightmares became reality. City were leading 2-0. It could easily have been 4-0 if 52 million pound worth Raheem Sterling could finish his chances. United fans were angry, hurt, embarrassed but helpless. Some left the stadium and didnt want to be a part of the humiliatuion.
Second half began.
Just like a Phoenix rising from ashes, Manchester United scored two quickfire goals. Both scored by Paul Pogba. Both created by Alexis Sanchez. Finally, Sanchez proved his worth to the United fans. Pogba showed the world, that may die his hair blue,but he breathes United. The cameras stated shaking after Chris Smalling scored the winner from a set piece. Created again by the Chilean.
United dominated the second half and won the game 3-2 in front of their rivals. Manchester City fans could not believe what just hit them. That day was touted as the day City finally overpower United and come out of their shadows after years of dominance. A day that started well for them but didn't end that way. As City fans were leaving Etihad with despair and disbelief, 3000 odd United fans chanted loudly from the away end-"You fucked it up,On Derby Day."
Thank You.
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