Date: 9th December 2009 at 1:45pm
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In May news broke that Manchester United had signed 16 year old French youth international from Le Harve. The signing was made all the more sweet by the fact that Pogba had chose United over rivals Arsenal and was a mini triumph for who has struggled in the French market due to the weight Wenger’s name holds.

Also linked with Liverpool the previous December, Pogba’s move to Old Trafford infuriated Le Harve and in light of Chelsea’s transfer ban for the poaching of they lodged a complaint with Fifa amidst claims United had paid Pogba’s parents to secure his services.

But in October Fifa rejected Le Harve’s case and the former French u16 captain was cleared to play for United. In his first official game he wasted no time in showing why he was so highly rated with a great performance for United’s academy against Crewe Alexander. He got stuck in with robust challenges, played short crisp passes as well as spraying long range passes all over the park. Contrary to early comparisons with Claude Makelele, Pogba was more box to box getting involved in United’s attacks as well as helping out the defence. Aside from his natural ability, his composure also impressed as even when surrounded by opposition players he never looked in danger of losing the ball.

He almost grabbed himself a debut goal with a thunderous 30 yard freekick that smashed off the underside of the cross bar but it wasn’t to be and Crewe eventually came awy with a 2-1 win.

His ability clearly stood out in the game and his running, posture and physique instantly drew comparisons with former Arsenal colosus , using his size to impose himself on the game.

His next game, against rivals Man City, although not living up to the highs of his debut, he continued to show glimpses of his talent and 2 games later opened his account for United with a cool as you like penalty in a 5-1 victory against Bolton.

Last Saturday United’s u18 had a run out against West Brom and Pogba again stole the headlines with a stand out performance capped by a thunderous long range effort.

Pogba is at least 6 foot 2 and appears to be physically more advanced than most his age, combine this with his talent and it is quite easy to see why some are calling for the youngster, who turns 17 next March, to be pushed into the reserves already. I think it may be too soon as not everyone can make the step up from academy to reserve football and it would be best to let him find his feet first but in a year or 2, if Pogba carries on developing at the rate he is, it will be impossible to hold him back from the first team.

Wenger is renouned for having an eye for young talent, and has developed French stars like Anelka, Vieira, Henry, Clichy and with the likes of Diaby still growing as a player he too could be added to the long list but missing out on Pogba could be a massive mistake for the Arsenal manager.

From Pogba’s early showings it is evident why United were so keen to sign him and Le Harve were so keen to keep him and in a few years Wenger could rue this one that got away.

 

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