Paul Pogba Says His Attitude Wasn't Good Enough During Defeat to Brighton
August 19, 2018
Paul Pogba has admitted his "attitude wasn't good enough" in Manchester United's 3-2 defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.
The Frenchman scored a consolatory penalty in injury time but told the media afterward that his own performance was not of the level required, acknowledging some tactical mistakes on his behalf, per writer Chris Winterburn:
Chris Winterburn @cmwinterburnPogba, "What happened today is that we lost. From the start we didn't deserve to win. We play against a smaller club but that attitude that we have wasn't like we wanted to beat them. I put myself forward primarily, my attitude wasn't good enough."
Chris Winterburn @cmwinterburnPogba, "Obviously playing at home and away is different. Different tactics, you can't always approach every game in the same way. We can't always play very well but the attitude has to be right."
Pogba was also quizzed on what manager Jose Mourinho said to the players when they were 3-1 down at half-time, though he wasn't giving anything away:
Chris Winterburn @cmwinterburnPogba on Mourinho's words at half time, "You'll have to ask him. I don't want to speak for other people, you'll have to ask him."
United's first loss of the season—in their first away trip of the new campaign—leaves them in 10th place, while reigning champions Manchester City have already reclaimed the summit with two wins from two.
Pogba made two of the three key passes recorded by United players (Ashley Young contributing the other) and won five aerial duels, per WhoScored.com, but he also demonstrated his uglier side, per Squawka:
Squawka Football @SquawkaThe two sides to Paul Pogba vs. Brighton: 👍 Most shots (3) 👍 Most chances created (2) 👎 Most times possession lost (27) 👎 Most fouls (6) https://t.co/lzhPezNPpc
Refreshing though it is to hear a player recognise their own faults and address them in the immediate wake of a defeat, it's also not like this is Pogba's first instance in falling victim to such pitfalls.
Taking too long on the ball, not showing proper care when passing and then airing his frustrations to the detriment of the team were all shortcomings on display in Brighton, though the entire team was at fault on the whole.
Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News showed how, despite his insight on his own display after the game, Pogba was one of those who perhaps failed to show the travelling fans the respect they deserved:
Samuel Luckhurst @samuelluckhurstRashford and Lingard walk over to give their shirts to fans. Shaw, Young, Lukaku and Lindelof among those to applaud them. Pogba and Fred head straight off. #mufc
Red Devils writer Robert Blanchette noted Pogba's remarks as telling of a much more concerning chink in United's armour behind the scenes:
Rob Blanchette @_Rob_BRe: Pogba quote: he mentioned attitude of the players twice. #MUFC are in deep deep waters. The fractures are evident. It’s not rocket science what’s happening.
Pogba is still attempting to justify the £89 million expense it took to take him back to Old Trafford from Juventus two years ago, but Sunday wasn't the kind of display to convince fans it's mission accomplished.
United found themselves two down to goals from Glenn Murray and Shane Duffy, but unlike previous United teams who were able to call upon experienced heads to provide calm, Pogba didn't supply it at the Amex.
Instead, the headline star of Mourinho's setup and returning star of France's 2018 World Cup triumph looked beleaguered, and it seemed like those around him responded in kind with a squad full of tired performances.
Pogba has taken an admirable and necessary first step to correcting his wrongs after pointing out his flaws, but only when he corrects those mistakes with actions on the pitch will he be absolved.
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