Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes have only just begun to forge a midfield partnership at Man Utd since the return of football last month and already the results have begun to show very positive signs.
Pogba has revealed that he had made it a routine to study and analyse every Man United match during his injury lay-off period so that he would be ready in anticipation of his forming a galvanising partnership with the Portuguese midfielder on his return.
The French midfielder buoyantly returned to action for United last month after having sat out on the sidelines through injury as he watched the United team embark on an incredible unbeaten run, brilliantly sparked off by Fernandes’ arrival in the January transfer window, which has proven to be the catalyst behind United’s resurgent form. Pogba was eager to link up with the Portuguese midfielder on his return.
So as to get himself up to speed, Pogba vigilantly analysed United’s style of play with Fernandes and it certainly looks like his hard work is beginning to pay off on the pitch.
“I had a lot of time off so I watched all the games,” Pogba told BT Sport.
“I try to learn. When Bruno arrived, I get that I need to understand him straight away. I didn’t want one month to adapt to his game so I watched him, watched his position, how he used the ball, what he’s good at so when I came back we could do well together. I understand him so I don’t have to adapt.
“Straight away when I get to him, I know ‘I can make this run’, ‘I know I have to pass him the ball there because he is dangerous there’. I try to analyse how he plays with the team, how to improve my positioning and stuff like that. It was a lesson when I was injured.”
That’s what separates the men from the boys and the exceptional from the good. Looks like we could finally get the chance to see a resurgent Pogba earning his stripes and proving his worth as the world-class footballer he had earlier shown himself to be.