5 things that have gone wrong with Manchester United's season

#1 Paul Pogba’s injury

Pogba's injury has robbed United of his creativity and energy in midfield

Pogba was brought into the team to provide an attacking engine for an aging United team.

In his first season after returning to Old Trafford, defensive duties shackled his attacking ventures and left him dry of goals and assists.

However, this season, his impact has been clear from the beginning this season. Nemanja Matic has shouldered the responsibility to screen the back four and lay off the first forward pass, often to Pogba.

Pogba is a terrific player who can retain possession, dribble, intercept and also mastermind an attack from the back.

His main responsibility remains to intercept opposition attacks and start off United’s counter-attack by playing short passes with the attacking midfielders in front of him.

His hamstring injury in the Champions League match against Basel has seen him sidelined since September 12. Since his absence, the Red Devils manager has used Marouane Fellaini and Ander Herrera (after Fellaini’s injury) in his place.

However, both lack the forward-thinking ability and the vision to inspire an attack from the back. As a result, service to the front three has dwindled.

Additionally, his absence has also allowed opposition teams to see more of the ball and take control of matches. United does not have another player like Pogba in its ranks and that has become evident in the team’s performances since his absence.

Mourinho might be right that Manchester City is still far from the title, but if these issues are not addressed by the time the January transfer window closes, City might as well take the victory lap and United will be left lamenting another title-less season.