Let's put his off field problems aside because I think it's unfair that it's always mentioned and was mentioned a few times today by the commentator.
But how hungry did he look, he was always looking for the ball, showed class with some silky touches and did not seem too afraid to take on a man, he even tried to take Berbatov on to take the free kick.
Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't just go throw him in a starting line up against Everton, but then at the same time I don't see why we couldn't. Okay it's one thing doing it for reserves and doing it against Aldershot but I think he could start making the bench for our first team ahead of Pogba. I'm a big fan of Pogba, but these 2 last carling cup matches he's had, he doesn't look like he's mentally ready to play first team for us yet, he needs time to ease into the game and whilst he didn't do anything bad today I don't think he would be able to take the bull by the horn in the same way that Morrison could because Morrison oozes in confidence that Pogba needs to get. But when Pogba does try to play, then he does well, he can spray the ball 60 yards just as good as Scholes or Rooney. He just needs to mature a little bit more and be confident in his own ability because it's there.
Cleverley--Carrick
------Morrison-----
Nani----------Young
-------Rooney--------
That same combination could work with a number of different players of course including Anderson, but I think giving Morrison a free role esque style role would suit him to the ground. Just my thoughts
Ravel looks ready
posted on 25/10/11
I think he looked decent. I hope we draw a bigger club next round, and Fergie throws Ravel and Pidier Pogba in the deep end and starts them. It would be interesting to see how they fair against decent opposition, and would give us a clearer indication of how they will do in the future. I think Pogba looks extremely comfortable in possession, and i'm really looking forward to him and Tom C playing together at some stage.
posted on 25/10/11
People forget that the pog only really came up to the reserves last year... he still has a little bit further to go compared to Ravel.
I honestly think you could drop Ravel into the biggest of games and he wouldn't flinch
posted on 25/10/11
Pogba is probably the player we're actually looking for atm...
looks a good defensive midfielder.
posted on 25/10/11
I think Pogba looked the better of the two tonight in all honesty. Perhaps not ability wise, but in terms of maturity.
Don't get me wrong, I'm hugely optimistic of both but whereas Morrison seems the type to strive for personal goals (can't blame him, he wants to show the World what he can do) Pogba seems a very wise young man who's all about the team.
I mean take tonight, he must have played around 20 passes and misplaced one to my recollection.
He's physically ready too, pace and strength in abundance.
The way he moved the ball around is what grasped me (Ravel did it a lot too, to be fair). One touch away from any onrushing opponents and the offload time and time again.
Tonight certainly reinforced my belief in them having watched them at academy/reserve level.
Let's hope they both make the step up and enjoy long, prosperous careers at United.
posted on 25/10/11
Agreed ^^
posted on 25/10/11
Rooney_Hernandez. I'm a big fan of Pogba I really am, but he was playing a lot of backwards/sideways passes and generally didn't look as comfortable as his counterpart. If Carrick was playing everyone would be saying what a pile of rubbish he is
posted on 25/10/11
thankfully, it is not an either or situation.... they complement each other very well... The Pog is slightly more defensive and Ravel has that extra creative spark.... both have everything in place to be great midfielders.
posted on 25/10/11
Anderson,
I know what you're saying but there were a couple balls; one to Diouf that evaded him and a lovely switch of play to Valencia that, for me at least, were a statement of intent.
I agree Ravel posses that spark, but at the moment we have Rooney, Nani, Young, Hernandez, Anderson, even Jones and the twins on occasion that also have this...what we were lacking was some organisation and ball retention.
I was one of the 606'ers that insisted we buy a player in the mould of De Rossi this summer as I don't think United have ever had a problem going forward.
For me Ravel is a player that we'd bring on during those situation where we are lacking that final ball, the end product, the creativity needed to break down stubborn and well organised defences (far too many of those situations last year!) Whereas Pogba is the guy who calms things down, the person you can pass to when in trouble in confidence he'll retain it, the guy who breaks up play but is then able to ping a 40 yard ball to whomever should be bombing forward.
As Park said though, thank God we've got 'em both!
posted on 25/10/11
I agree. I'm a huge fan of pogba, but he doesn't possess that same aura about him as when he plays with the reserves, a bit nervous. But yes he can spray a 60 yard pass with ease and I think both will be exceptional talents for us. I just think at the moment ravel has the mental attitude to push for a place ahead of pogba. The ball sticks to his feet as well
posted on 25/10/11
I thought Morrison looked class tonight. So much natural talent and the ability to find space easily. I want to see him on the bench more this season.