Pogba joined Monaco, and the French media "Team" published an article talking about Pogba. The team newspaper said that Manchester United's late-stage Pogba is still the most decisive player, and Monaco should build a system for Pogba.

Team News wrote: What kind of player was Pogba when he was able to play consecutive games last time?

After three years of twists and turns, Pogba was recruited by Monaco. The 32-year-old Pogba was able to play continuously before going back to his time at Manchester United from February to March 2022. At that time, he was gradually drifting away from his peak.

That arrogant attitude, that unique temperament that is half charming and half casual, those moments of inspiration and wandering... Pogba's last consecutive high-level competitions was the core period of wearing Manchester United's robe in the 21/22 season - it made people suddenly remember the past style, but also inevitably felt lost. All his qualities remain, but some of the light seemed to have been extinguished. After overcoming thigh and calf injuries, Pogba made his debut eight times in nine games between February 4 and March 12, but he always conveyed the feeling of searching but not finding it.

During Pogba's injury recovery in December 2021, Rangnick replaced Solskjaer to coach Manchester United. Due to his lack of reliable combat power to promote the offensive, he deployed Pogba in the frontcourt as a fulcrum, sometimes as an offensive supporter, sometimes as a guest star on the flank and even a pseudo-center. These positionings have never been clear enough, and Rangnick has never been able to build an organic whole according to his own philosophy.

At this time, Pogba was no longer the all-around midfielder who was disciplined and aggressive when off the ball, and was as fast as lightning when he had the ball and was magnificent in the 2018 World Cup. British observers even questioned whether he had actually shown this at Manchester United. Although he scored a goal against Burnley on February 8, he did not show any confidence and strength, especially as rumors of the contract being expired continue to ferment.

Despite being plagued by injuries, Pogba is still one of Manchester United's most decisive players. Pogba still maintained a keen insight at the time. Although the cautious ball path that was passed most of the time was far from his nature, he could occasionally display his unique deep penetration. It was precisely because of this ability that he gave Sancho an accurate pass to equalize the score in the Manchester City derby on March 6, and then Manchester United suffered a 1-4 comeback.

Even after repeated entry and exit of the medical room, Pogba is still crucial to Manchester United this season. He not only maintained the team's highest number of passes (7.1 per game), but also the second player with the second success rate of passing in the third zone (5.9 per game). If his output efficiency (1 goal and 9 assists) is calculated based on his playing time (1776 minutes), he is still the third core player in the Red Devils' formation, second only to Ronaldo and B.

But in addition to physical problems, Pogba also has another crux of the problem: his running without the ball is erratic, sometimes lacking energy and losing position, and from time to time he gives up open channels for his opponent in the midfield hinterland. Is this physical limitation? Tactical commands? Or fatigue? With the team deeply trapped in the collective downturn, these three may be both. After three years of revisiting the game video, this feeling is still clearly visible.

Acquaintances have been constantly emphasizing that Pogba is a unique player who needs to be nourished by care to shine. When spring 2022 is approaching, this care is almost exhausted. Now Monaco coach Xuter's team is facing the same challenge: how to build a system to maximize Pogba's advantages while avoiding shortcomings.

Since the epic 3-2 victory over Tottenham on March 12, 2022, Pogba has not played the whole game again. His finale of playing for Manchester United was between starting, substitute and injury. He then made only 12 appearances in his 13 months of playing for Juventus, including 11 substitutes until the fall of 2023 suspension due to drug bans.

Pogba's physical coach Roger recently praised in an interview: "Pogba's body has successfully reshaped and has become extremely strong." He is convinced that Pogba has "regained the speed advantage and the calmness under his feet." What we want to recover now is the confidence and sharpness he has pursued for three years or even more.