please log in to view this image Paul Pogba D.O.B: 15/03/1993 (17) Position: Central Midfield Plays for Reserves/Academy French U17 International/ U16 Captain History & Background Paul Pogba, the young United player, is an exciting midfielder who possesses all the qualitites needed to become a top player. In his short time at the club he has impressed many with his power, passing ability and eye for goal. The tall Frenchman, signed from Le Havre, joined the United Academy in October 2009 in a widely publicized move from French club. United were accused of poaching the midfielder by the Le Havre President, similar to the Kakuta allegations at Chelsea, after they offered his parents ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã85k each for the transfer, with a ÃÆââ¬Å¡Ãâã4k a week contract on his 17th birthday. United strongly denied the accusations, saying they acted properly, just as they have done before when attracting the likes of Pique, Macheda and Van Velzen from their respective academies (Barcelona, Lazio & Ajax). The situation has now been resolved, after the threats of a FIFA investigation, with a confidential agreement between the clubs that will presumably involve Le Havre receiving a large fee upon his first team debut. Hailing from the outskirts of Paris, the kid has been a regular at all levels of the French youth teams and comes from the same well respected French academy which produced Charles NÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ã¢ââ¬Å¾Ã¢Zogbia, Jean-Alain Boumsong and Lassana Diarra. The head of the academy, Frederic Lipka, said he was ÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ãâ¦Ã¢â¬Åvery efficient at a very young age [with] the quality of his technique and his sizeÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬Ãâæ Straight away, I thought, when he reached 17 or 18, he would be ready to step up to the top level.ÃÆââââ¬Å¡Ã¬ÃâàIt was this overall coolness and ability which led to his introduction into the France U 16 team at just 14, before he went on to captain the side. Gaining a reputation around Europe, the midfielder was highly coveted but United became a favourite for him when Ferguson visited the family in person, saying where Pogba would be in five/ ten years- rather than the more distant monetary approach taken by Chelsea & Arsenal- and the rest is history. For more views, stats, prospects, pics & specifically complied video go to http://cantheyscore.wordpress.com/2011/02/06/paul-pogba-academy-starlet-a-ready-made-replacement-for-the-owen-hargreaves/ and follow @CanTheyScore on Twitter http://twitter.com/#!/CanTheyScore Do you agree that this boy is something special? Do you think he should replace Hargreaves? Or promoted sooner/ later? What are your views? please log in to view this image
I like Pogba a lot, from what I've seen of him. It's a big step up from Academy / Reserves to first team level but I'd almost be tempted to bring him into the first team squad, such is my current disillusionment with our current midfield. I really think that he couldn't do worse than them and the experience would benefit him. He seems a bit injury prone though and has missed a lot of games due to various niggles. I hope these are just "growing pains" and his progress isn't hampered by the injuries.
Well I know alot of people involved in the academy or reserves are calling for him to be fast tracked, only problem is we tend to struggle bringing though midfielders. I have a feeling if he can cement a place in the reserves till the end of the season, coupled witha good youth cup run a few of the academy players may get a chance next pre season to really make their claim with all our imminent departures. They seem to reckon alot of the injuries are fitness related, rather than proper injuries. Hope we don't get another Petrruci incident!
Petrucci, what ever happened to him? A waste of talent as he was a fantastic passer. Just shows that there are no certainties in football.
Pettruci suffered major setbacks with a back injury which I then think spread to an even bigger pelvic problem- he had to stop playing football totally for a year and went back to Italy with his family just to recover. Ferguson mentioned once how it was somewhat similar to Scholes before they realised how long he would be out for- definitely to do with his growth. Such a shame BUT he is now back for reserves...there is hope yet. After such a long absence he will need a few seasons just to recover totally. Wishing him well!
