According to Arsenal legend Charlie Nicholas, the Red Devils will miss out on the top 4 due to the fact that world record signing Paul Pogba is yet to adapt to English football. United currently sit sixth in the table and already trail league leaders Manchester City by 5 points after just 7 games.
Paul Pogba, in particular, has been poor in most of the matches and Nicholas feels that it’s his lofty price tag that's preventing him getting the axe at the moment. Pogba signed for the Red Devils this summer for a world record £89 million and was expected to lead the United charge along with Zlatan Ibrahimovic but it has not gone according to script for the 23-year-old.
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In a column for Sky sports, Nicholas wrote, “I am dropping Man(chester) United to fifth having originally put them third. Jose Mourinho is stuck because he has spent a fortune on big-money buys, and the big-money buys, especially Paul Pogba, are still trying to adapt.”
He also feels that the Frenchman must learn to link up better with his teammates other than Zlatan. “Pogba does not understand – at least he doesn’t appear to – that he can play his part in a disciplined team. It’s all about him and Zlatan Ibrahimovic linking up at the moment, and his constant shots from 30 yards.”
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Nicholas also stated that although Pogba is lucky not to be dropped at the moment, it would eventually click for the former Juventus midfielder. “If he was an academy youngster coming into the team, people would be screaming and moaning at him but because he’s new and £89m, you let him off. He is allowed to just do what he wants. It will click eventually, and it might click soon, but I’ve got a feeling it will take a bit of time.”
United’s other new signings have settled down well into life in the Premier League. Eric Bailly has cemented his place at the heart of the defence while Zlatan Ibrahimovic started off the season in fine fashion although goals have dried up of late.
Jose Mourinho’s side travel to Anfield the Tuesday after next in an attempt to get their campaign back on track and United fans will hope that Pogba can showcase some of the form he found against Leicester City earlier in the season.
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