Offered a favourable first outing as manager of Manchester United, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer oversaw a 5-1 win which included impressive performances from a number of players marginalised by the Norwegian's predecessor; few more so than Paul Pogba.
Playing with the kind of freedom Solskjaer repeatedly stressed the importance of in his post-match discussions, Daniel Harris of The Guardian believes the success of this stance may largely be determined by the performances of Pogba from this point onward.
"Pogba still has a lot of improving to do," Harris suggested whilst speaking to Off the Ball this afternoon.
"What we see at the moment with Pogba is a player of moments, he's a Steven Gerrard player without the drive.
"He illuminates games, sometimes settles games, but he doesn't define games in the sense that he doesn't set the pattern or control them."
Contributing two assists during yesterday's defeat of Cardiff, certain sections of United's fan-base will unquestionably have their doubts about Pogba's future at the club; largely informed, one would think, by what he has delivered since his return from Juventus in 2016.
Widely portrayed as Jose Mourinho's most threatening opponent within the club before his tenure came to its premature end, interest will abound as to what reception the Frenchman can expect from United's home supporters when the side next play in Old Trafford.
"I would be surprised if he got aggravation," Harris admitted.
"All the aggravation has dissipated. People were stressed about Mourinho being the manager of Manchester United, and there is a relief he is gone.
"So, I think people will probably be disinclined to go to the football and experience more anger, and would probably rather just go and enjoy the fact that Ole Solskjaer is the manager."
Harris does believe the French midfielder's reputation may take something of a hammering with the club's supporters, and, as he moves into the latter half of his third season back at Manchester United, the onus on an upturn in Pogba's performances will be widely felt.
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