Paul Pogba hits out at Manchester United's approach to home matches
In an apparent criticism of Jose Mourinho's methods, Pogba called on United to 'attack, attack, attack' when playing at Old Trafford
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Your support makes all the difference.Paul Pogba has called for Manchester United to ‘attack, attack, attack’ when at Old Trafford as it is “easier”, in an apparent criticism of Jose Mourinho’s approach to home matches.
United were frustrated by newly-promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, drawing 1-1 with Nuno Espirito Santo’s side after Joao Moutinho cancelled out Fred’s opener for the hosts.
Wolves were dominant until United’s breakthrough and, despite coming into the game on the back of three consecutive away victories, Mourinho’s side underwhelmed and struggled to create clear-cut opportunities.
Pogba himself had a mixed afternoon. It was his delicate touch that brilliantly set up Fred, but the midfielder was then at fault in the build-up to Moutinho’s equaliser, carelessly giving the ball away.
”I think we didn’t really start the game well but we were winning 1-0 so it was positive for us,” he said. “Then after the second half we tried to defend a bit more against the counter-attack. We stopped playing forward like in the first half.
“We were playing higher and I think that’s how we conceded the goal. I know I lost the ball [for the goal]. Then a few more mistakes and not a lot of movement in front because we didn’t really put them in trouble.
“We are at home and we should play much better against Wolves,” he added. “When we are at home we should attack, attack, attack. That’s Old Trafford. We are here to attack. I think teams are scared when they see Man United attacking and attacking. That was our mistake today.”
The 1-1 draw was United’s first Old Trafford appearance since a 3-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur last month. When asked whether playing at Old Trafford itself could be the problem, Pogba reiterated his point that United should play on the front foot at home.
“I don’t know how to respond to this. I wish I could,” he said.
“Maybe the attitude should be better and we should play better because, again, we are at Old Trafford and we should just attack and press like we did against Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal last season. When we play like this it’s easier for us.”
Pogba was then asked what was stopping United from taking a more adventurous approach and pointed out that, as a player, he is not responsible for the approach United adopt. “I can’t tell you because I’m a player,” he said. “It’s not me.”
The midfielder added: “We didn’t lose but for me we should have won. We are at home, they are three points that we should get. I don’t know how many games we’ve had at home – three – and we’ve got only four points. It’s not enough.”
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