Paul Pogba is back in shape for Manchester United at the right time, as Premier League leaders prepare for Sunday’s FA Cup clash with Liverpool.
French midfielder Mino Raiola’s agent exasperated United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in December when he granted an interview advising Pogba to seek leave because he was “dissatisfied” with the lack of freedom he had given him at Old Trafford.
Perceived in some sectors as a bad influence on some of his young United teammates, Pogba’s inventory may have declined when Solskjaer’s team left the Champions League the same week, Raiola made his incendiary claims.
At this stage, a change to his former club, Juventus, or a movement imaginable to Paris Saint Germain or Real Madrid seemed inevitable.
But from the ashes of what seemed like a calamity that marked the season, Pogba and United returned to notoriety.
Finally, with signs of weakness and focusing on football steady than its symbol and business interests, Pogba played a key role in United’s rise to the most sensible in the Premier League.
Solskjaer reportedly expressed his displeasure with Pogba over Raiola’s intervention, but lost his temper to the 27-year-old.
Pogba rewarded this display of religion with winning goals in United’s league wins at Burnley and then Fulham on Wednesday.
With a two-point lead in the most sensible in the Premier League, United have been competing for their first English name since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.
After the blank draw between the former conflicting parties of the league at Anfield on 17 January, United have a chance to land a mental blow to Liverpool when champion Old Trafford in the fourth FA Cup circular this weekend.
The question on everyone’s mouth at United is whether Pogba can his sudden good run.
Some Pogba are motivated by the preference to maintain their place in the French national team before this year’s European championships.
Whatever Pogba’s explanation of the renaissance, Solskjaer would obviously gain advantages by keeping its game maker in a positive mood.
“He loves his football, he’s satisfied. Mentally, he is very satisfied and physically in very good shape and we know all about his talent,” Solskjaer said.
“We played it in midfield (against Fulham) and it was worth it. “
United are catching up with Liverpool at the best time after Burnley put an end to the undefeated 68-match home champions record with a surprise 1-0 win at Anfield on Thursday.
Jurgen Klopp’s team has played five league games without winning and has six United tracks.
A victory over United would be the tonic the reds in poor health need.
“When things don’t work out the way we need them, a problem arises,” Klopp said.
“The challenge is that the things I tell the kids, I didn’t tell them enough obviously, so I have to replace the way I tell the kids and then we have to replace the way we play.
“We have to get on with the things that were smart enough and the others. “
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