Even the most die-hard of Manchester United supporters will admit that there were far too many passengers on the pitch during Saturday’s derby day defeat.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Jesse Lingard were withdrawn at half-time of Saturday’s early kick-off so lacklustre were their performances.
But even manager Jose Mourinho conceded that the substituted pair were not the only players guilty of underachieving.
“It was not just about them [Mkhitaryan and Lingard],” Mourinho said after the game. “Other players were also not playing really well and obviously, as well as my decision, I don’t like to go in the direction of singling out players. Let’s say our team didn’t play well in the first-half and their responsibilities are my responsibilities.”
While the Portuguese did not want to pinpoint the shortcomings of any of his players, Monday Night Football analyst Jamie Carragher showed no such concern as he singled out Paul Pogba’s game as one of the biggest disappointments of the derby.
“I don’t think it was so much that Pep Guardiola got it massively right,” Carragher said on Monday’s show. “I think Jose Mourinho got it tactically wrong.
WATCH: Jamie Carragher believes Paul Pogba’s Manchester derby performance was like a “kid in a schoolyard.” https://t.co/jR6v76nUWL
— Sky Sports MNF ⚽️ (@SkySportsMNF) September 12, 2016
“What Jose Mourinho wasn’t helped by was the performance of his players, he made two changes at half-time.
“But specifically, the performance of Paul Pogba!
“I think for a central midfield player in a game of that magnitude, it was one of the most ill-disciplined performances that you’ll see in the first 45 minutes…
“The only way to describe it was like the best kid in a schoolyard, who runs where he wants and does what he wants.”
Pogba has yet to register a goal or assist in his first three appearances for United and he was certainly one of the poorer players on Saturday.
It’s just lucky he wasn’t too expensive or anything.
The GAA Hour took their show on the road to Castlebar to preview the All-Ireland final with Colm Parkinson, James Horan and some very special guests. Listen below or subscribe here on iTunes.
