Returning to Manchester United from Juventus for a world record transfer fee last summer, it’s fair to say that Paul Pogba failed to live up to the considerable hype.
The Frenchman signed off from Serie A duties by delivering eight goals and 12 assists in 35 league outings in 2015/16 but struggled to replicate that output under Jose Mourinho.
A total of five goals and four assists across 30 league outings earned a total of just 115 points in 2015/16 – placing him as lowly as thirty-third among Fantasy Premier League midfielders.
Meanwhile, an average of 3.8 points per match (ppm) in FPL was some way behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s 5.8 ppm as the Red Devils struggled for a cutting edge in Mourinho’s first season at the helm.
But heading into their second season, there is building anticipation of bigger things to come from both Mourinho and his record signing.
- Having started last season priced at 8.5 in FPL, Pogba’s tally of 115 points – placing him behind Crystal Palace’s Andros Townsend and on a par with West Bromwich Albion’s Matt Phillips – certainly suggests that the Frenchman will avoid a price hike. With the likes of Alexis Sanchez, Eden Hazard and the main midfielders from both Spurs and Liverpool all destined to rise in light of their 2016/17 endeavours, Pogba could emerge as an unlikely value option.
- Pogba’s end-of-season output may well hint at what’s to come next time around. A goal and assist against Crystal Palace in Gameweek 38 – equaling his campaign-high haul in a 44-minute first-half cameo – was then followed by the opener in United’s Europa League final win over Ajax. That was the first time in 2016/17 that he’d scored in back-to-back matches in all competitions and strengthens the theory that he could become a more pivotal figure with Ibrahimovic out of the picture.
- Handed his debut in Gameweek 2, Pogba was one of the few assured starters under Mourinho last season, finishing every league match from that point onwards until he was ruled out of the Gameweek 29 encounter against Middlesbrough with a hamstring problem. Although his minutes were managed towards the end of the campaign due to the club’s Europa League run, Pogba started more league matches (29) than any United outfield player in 2016/17.
- In the final third, Pogba claimed first place for touches (860) and successful passes (477) for United and was second only to Ibrahimovic for passes received (566 to 569). With ball-playing centre-half Viktor Lindelof now on board, there’s a feeling that Pogba will not be required to drop deep to orchestrate attacks and instead edge further forward as Mourinho makes his customary second-season charge for the title. This could be particularly pertinent, given that only 37 of Pogba’s 92 efforts last term arrived from inside the opposition’s penalty area.
- Ranked top for key passes (57) for Mourinho’s side, Pogba was second only to Ibrahimovic (115) for total attempts and placed seventh among FPL midfielders. While a dire 5.4% conversion rate sums up his disappointing campaign, his average of 28.3 minutes per shot – bettered only by four regular midfielders – illustrates his propensity to look for goal.
- The opening schedule also strengthens United’s bid to get off to a flier. Bearing in mind that they play only one of last season’s top six (WHM, swa, LEI, sto, EVE, sot, CPL, liv, hud) in the first nine Gameweeks, investment in Mourinho’s regulars looks set to be a popular strategy. With uncertainty still hanging over their first-choice striker for the campaign ahead, Pogba has the chance to play his way into our initial squad planning.
