Paul Pogba shows Manchester United fans a glimpse of the future

Didier Deschamps’ France outfit put on a much-improved performance to beat Peru and almost guarantee progress into the Last-16. Kylian Mbappe starred with his 34th-minute goal being enough to carry Les Bleus to victory and banish the ghosts of their much-criticised opening 2-1 victory over Australia. However, the spotlight once again falls onto the always hot topic of Paul Pogba.

The self-proclaimed “most criticised player in the world” put on one of his best performances since his then-world record signing for Manchester United when playing in a two-man midfield alongside N’Golo Kante for his national team. The two Premier League stars were key in covering and protecting the French backline and keeping out a Peruvian team desperate to save their World Cup campaign.

Although the Red Devil’s star man put in a praiseworthy defensive effort, it was his slick and exciting attacking ability which lit up the Ekaterinburg Arena. Mbappe’s goal came after Pogba turned the ball over high up the field, played an excellent pass to Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud whose deflected shot was then tapped in by the PSG starlet Mbappe. Throughout the game Pogba’s talent showed with deft touches, clever passes and powerful running. Against Peru it seems as though the 2013 “Golden Boy” winner was showing, on the biggest stage, what he really has to offer.

The question on the lips of Manchester United fans will, of course, be if their most expensive player can replicate this form in England. Pogba’s 2017-18 club season was characterised by moments of brilliance (two goals against rivals Manchester City come to mind) and moments where he seemed more suited to playing for a youth team.

After an admittedly fantastic start to the season, the Frenchman’s performances tailed off until the final few games of the season brought a deluge of criticism and it seemed his future with the Red Devils was in question.

However, the performance Pogba displayed against Peru shows why Manchester United spent so much money on him. He showed class, quality, and leadership, something that the red side of Manchester lacked last season. Now Pogba’s challenge is to make these types of performances the norm, rather than the glittering exception.