As Manchester United fans continue to come to terms with their new-found attacking verve, the dream Pogba-Fernandes linkup continues to materialize, to clinical efficiency.
Paul Pogba enjoyed a sparkling midfield display in the 3-nil win against relegation-threatened Aston Villa, setting the tempo for most of the match after a slow start and netting the third goal.
Manchester United are the most in-form Premier League team since the restart. Since dusting off the cobwebs in the draw at Tottenham, United have become the first side in Premier League history to win four consecutive games by a three-goal margin.
It is a run that stretches 17 games undefeated in all competitions for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men, who also scored 46 times as they have now reached 100 goals in all competitions this season.
This is a far cry from the toothless side from earlier this season as their current momentum sees them a point off the top four.
Pogba’s beautiful curler from the edge of the box – assisted by Bruno Fernandes – was his first goal since April 2019 and consecutive 90 minutes since last September suggest he’s fully past his fitness worries.
The Frenchman completed 100% of his long passes and won 6 duels against a timid Villa side on the freefall to the Championship.
After a succession of injury layoffs during most of the season, the World Cup winner has enjoyed his much-anticipated return to midfield alongside Fernandes, looking very comfortable since they first stepped on the pitch together at Spurs. Fernandes has featured in the ‘number 10’ role whilst Pogba uses his guile, skill and range of passing from deep, protected by Nemanja Matić.
Between them, Pogba laid on Fernandes’ first goal at Brighton before the Portuguese returned the favour from a corner at Villa Park, setting up his midfield partner with a move from the training ground. The duo can switch roles on the pitch and have set each other up in similar positions, showing a blossoming understanding.
Crucially, Pogba now has a team around him that’s delivering the quality which he can thrive upon, alleviating the extreme pressures since he rejoined United. Indeed, Pogba is no one-man team but a Dynamo in a functioning unit, and he’s enjoying himself too.
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With rejuvenated United scoring goals for fun since Fernandes joined in January still hunting down a top four spot and success in the FA Cup or Europa League, Solskjaer’s men have never looked in better shape.
Pogba looks set to stay given the change of fortunes at Old Trafford and the current financial climate imposed by the global pandemic, no less.
The Red Devils are well-placed for a memorable end to the season and a successful campaign next season, with Pogba and Fernandes at the heart of it all.
