There are many facets to Paul Pogba’s game.
His touch is exemplary, and his long-range shooting is immense. There are few who can match the weight and accuracy of his passing, whilst he manages to glide past players with his strong running and quick feet with consummate ease. There are many players you could compare him to – Andrea Pirlo, Yaya Toure and Juan Sebastián Verón to name but three.
So it’s interesting that Wayne Rooney’s description of the Frenchman focuses on a rather different aspect of his performance – and the Manchester United captain should know because they were of course former teammates at Old Trafford. Reading the England man’s comments, you’d be forgiven for thinking he was talking about current United ‘favourite’ Marouane Fellaini.
With Pogba due to arrive at Old Trafford as Jose Mourinho’s fourth major signing at the club – after Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Eric Bailly – Rooney is ready to welcome the prodigal son back with open arms, even if it results in a bruised cheekbone or two. For it seems the lanky midfielder is a tad…elbow happy in training…
“He was one of those players who, when you trained against him, somehow he would just hurt you. A knee in your side, bump into you, I don’t think he meant to do it, but it just happened.
“You didn’t even need to get into a tackle. Just go next to him and you’d find an elbow or some other sharp bit. So, if he comes, I’m looking forward to that again!”
In fairness to Rooney, he goes on to stress the 23-year-old’s more technical skills, and confirms that he would be excited to have him back – as long as the player himself shares that enthusiasm…
“But he had great ability, some of the things he could do, and he’s gone up a level since he left us. I hope he is going to want to return to United and prove he’s a top-class player.
“If he is excited to play for us, we’ll be excited to have him back. I’m sure he’ll feel there is unfinished business, and it would be a very big statement by the club if they can make it happen.”
A combination of Fellaini and Pogba in United’s midfield? Better stock up on some TCP…
