Bruno Fernandes’ hat-trick earned him man-of-the-match honors in Manchester United’s 5-1 victory over Leeds at Old Trafford – but Paul Pogba contribution was arguably more significant.
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While there has never been much debate about Fernandes’ contribution to the Manchester United cause since his arrival from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020, the situation with Pogba could not be more different.
Graeme Souness’ name was trending on Twitter on Saturday afternoon as a direct result of Pogba’s four-assist performance, a reference to the former Liverpool and Scotland star’s long-held reservations about the midfielder.
Paul Pogba joined a list of seven men who have created four of their team’s five goals in a single Premier League match, and he became the first Manchester United player to do so. Harry Kane’s contributions in a 5-2 victory over Southampton in September 2020 marked the only other time it had occurred since 2013.
“People talk about the quality of Paul. but his quality is not up for discussion. We know what he can do. Paul is an important player for us. We know to expect this kind of performance from him,” said Fernandes.
It’s mind-boggling to consider that Pogba has already surpassed his assist total from last season – three – in just one game.
A first-time lofted pass to Fernandes for the opener, a 40-yard curling ball inside Pascal Struijk to set Mason Greenwood free for the second, a short pass to Fernandes for number three, and a low cross delivered with his left foot to find Fred in space to round out the scoring.
Pogba’s highlights reel from just one game would place him near the top of the list of the world’s most influential players. The problem is that the Frenchman has struggled to maintain even close to those levels on a consistent basis.
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That is why there has been so much discussion this summer about whether United should cut their losses on a player who cost them £89 million when he returned from Juventus in 2016, but who may leave them for nothing for the second time when his contract ends next summer.
