MANCHESTER (AFP) - Paul Pogba has the qualities to be captain of Manchester United, according to caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has overseen a dramatic return to form for the World Cup winner.
The France midfielder was told in September by then-manager Jose Mourinho that he would never captain the club again, days after an apparent disagreement over tactics.
Mourinho denied at the time that there had been any fallout between the pair, having taken the decision to strip Pogba of his role as United vice-captain.
The decision was made public days after Pogba appeared to question Mourinho's approach by telling reporters that United should "attack, attack, attack".
Pogba, who performed erratically for his club over the first half of the season, has scored five goals in six appearances since Solskjaer arrived as interim boss on December 19.
The Frenchman made his debut for United's reserve team when Solskjaer was their manager during the 25-year-old's first spell at the club.
The Norwegian said that he has long believed Pogba has what it takes to lead a team, although made clear that he is happy with United's current set-up, with Ashley Young the regular captain on the pitch while Antonio Valencia, who has made just eight appearances this season, is the club captain.
Â
Â
"I know the boy from before, and he's a leader," Solskjaer said ahead of his team's FA Cup fourth-round match against Arsenal on Friday (Jan 25).
"He's a character who influences people. He cares and wants to be successful.
"He knows he can't do it by himself. It's a team game and he's a character who brings so many good things with him when he's enjoying himself, I have to say.
"You see the personality. He loves playing football. He's a larger-than-life character. That's just the way he is.
"When the performances come as well, that marries together as a good leader and you see what it meant to him winning the World Cup. So for me, yes, he's captain material."
Pogba has faced criticism in the past for his enthusiastic use of social media, not least when a post appeared on his Instagram account after Mourinho's December sacking with a picture of himself smiling and the words "caption this".
Former United players Gary Neville and Nicky Butt both criticised the post, which was quickly deleted.
Solskjaer, though, says he is not worried about the way that players such as Pogba and teammate Jesse Lingard use social media.
"It's part of the era we live in," he said. "That's just society now, that's what they're used to, the kids now. I'm not, but they are.
"And it's all positive, it's all good messages and I don't have any problem with that whatsoever because that's Paul, that's Jesse. We've got certain rules obviously, and it's common sense."
Solskjaer said that there were no immediate plans to give Pogba the captain's armband, adding that he felt the role could sometimes be given too much significance.
"Ashley's wearing the armband, yes because Antonio's struggled with fitness as well, in and out," said Solskjaer.
"Antonio's still the club captain, but Ash is wearing the armband when he's playing. I've never been a fan of 'You're this and you're that'."
Keep foot on pedal, warns Solskjaer. Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has been impressive under the guidance of caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his assistant Michael Carrick
Dimitar Berbatov Warns Ole Gunnar Solskjaer of Upcoming
Bayern Munich win Bundesliga title for seventh successive season - Times of India 2 weeks ago MUNICH (Germany): Bayern Munich received a record-extending seventh consecutive Bundesliga identify on Saturday after crushing Eintracht Frankfurt five-1 to end two points forward of rivals Borussia Dortmund.
Bayern Munich win seventh consecutive Bundesliga title | Goal.com
Alex Telles stepped up to the penalty spot to send Porto into the Champions League quarter-finals with a win over Roma in a game dominated by VAR. Tiquinho Soares put the home side ahead midway
We played against maybe the best team in world. I don't know how the boys did it." Klopp saluted his spirited players for refusing to accept they were out after losing the first leg by such a
Liverpool beats Barcelona in semi final of the Champions
Watford's Gray strikes to sink Everton, pile pressure on Silva Soccer Football - Premier League - Watford v Everton - Vicarage Road, Watford, Britain - February 9, 2019 Everton's Kurt Zouma reacts
Watford's Andre Gray strikes to sink Everton, pile pressure
Speed key for Socceroos to catch Chile on the hop, writes Harry Kewell. Harry Kewell, News Corp Australia. June 13, 2014 2:09am. Share this on Facebook Vidal is a key player, a box-to-box man
Arnie's search for taegeuk in his Socceroos squad
Football: Noh Rahman embracing learning curve as Home United
Football: Gonzalo Higuain must earn permanent Chelsea deal
League Cup: Harry Kane's VAR penalty gives Tottenham edge over Chelsea Harry Kane's 26th-minute spot kick, his 160th goal for Tottenham, was awarded after a lengthy, but correct, VAR decision and means Spurs remain on course to claim their first silverware since 2008.
Kane's VAR penalty gives Tottenham edge over Chelsea
Pep Guardiola is not concerned about the way his Manchester City players use social media, despite a post from Kyle Walker that appeared to mock Premier League title rivals Liverpool. Walker posted a picture of Harry Maguire on Twitter after the Leicester defender’s equaliser secured a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Wednesday, meaning that
Guardiola not worried about Man City players' social media
Solari denies La Liga title race is over after Real Madrid suffer shock home loss to Girona. But even though Madrid's shock home loss to struggling Girona last weekend ended a five-game winning
Cristiano Ronaldo wrong to say Real Madrid are not humble
Lions dominate Patriots to earn first victory of season, 26-10. becoming the first player to reach the mark for the Lions since Reggie Bush ran for 117 yards against Green Bay on Nov. 28, 2013
Hungry lions on eBay | Seriously, We have EVERYTHING
AD
Football; Guardiola salutes 'incredible' Manchester City. Pep Guardiola hailed his "incredible" Manchester City stars as they swept back to the top of the Premier League with a 2-0 win at
Pep Guardiola salutes Liverpool after Man City title triumph
0 comments:
Post a Comment