20 Friday, November 24, 2017 SPORTS Midfielder shows just what Jose Mourinho’s side have been miss- ing with all-action return from injury Pogbashows importance

toLondon Man Utd comeback win, his long-legged technical artistry, the e does not yet share teammate Pogba was the recognition of Pogba’s influence on Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s cult status, but man of the match and United’s play has been slow in coming. HPaul Pogba’s display on his comeback his overall display helped His then world-record £89.3 million from injury showed his importance to United find a level they (US$118 million) transfer from Juventus Manchester United is second to none. have struggled to reach last year created huge expectations and Having toiled in Pogba’s absence, during his two-month absence. although his first season was successful, recently taking four points from “He affects our football,” said United there were few fireworks. a possible 12 in the Premier League, manager Jose Mourinho. “We all know, Pogba finished the season with nine United rediscovered their swagger myself and the fellow players, that certain goals in 51 appearances and winner’s against Newcastle on Saturday when the players influence the levels of the team. medals in the League Cup and Europa Frenchman made his return. With him we have much more creation.” League, his goal in the final of the latter With a goal and an assist in a 4-1 Though he has often dazzled with setting United en route to victory over Ajax. But he could not compete with Ibrahimovic, whose goalscoring feats and larger-than-life persona immediately made him a favourite with the Old Trafford faithful. United’s fans had invented a song for Ibrahimovic – their “Swedish hero” – before he had even made his official United debut. have Anthony Martial, too, is regularly scored 16 goals serenaded, but Pogba is still waiting for in five Premier an ode in his honour to take root. League games this With Ibrahimovic sidelined by an season, at an average of 3.2 injury of his own, Pogba took centre- per game. stage in the opening weeks of the current When Pogba is not playing, the campaign as United made an impressive average goals figure halves. start to the season. The 24-year-old has been directly Yet it was only during the period of responsible for eight goals in his last six absence brought on by the hamstring league appearances – four goals, four injury Pogba sustained against Basel on assists – and with him and Ibrahimovic September 12 that his importance began back on the scene, confidence is to be truly acknowledged. flooding back. “Pogba is a big miss because of his Manchester City opened up confidence and arrogance,” said former an eight-point lead over United United captain Gary Neville after while Pogba was convalescing, Mourinho’s men succumbed to a 1-0 but both he and Ibrahimovic spoke defeat at Chelsea. optimistically about reeling in Pep “He takes the ball into tight areas, Guardiola’s side after Saturday’s holds the ball, beats a man.” game. Paul Scholes, meanwhile, said Pogba’s While United have lost ground in unavailability explained why Romelu the league, they have not missed a Lukaku had suddenly gone off the boil. beat in the Champions League and “He [Pogba] links the team together,” visit Basel this week needing just a said the former United midfielder. point to reach the knockout phase “I don’t think they have a good enough as group winners. number 10 at the moment and that doesn’t Mourinho has indicated Pogba could help Lukaku either. Lukaku is having to be rested, but whether he plays or not, his do a lot for himself, but Pogba will make return to fitness has given United a major Paul Pogba the difference.” With Pogba in the team, lift. (AFP)