Manchester United fans have taken to Twitter to praise Paul Pogba after his Man of the Match display versus Manchester City at the weekend.
The Frenchman was on-hand to score twice in a dramatic turnaround for Jose Mourinho’s side which saw them come from two goals behind to beat City 3-2 at The Etihad.
The hosts went into the game knowing a victory would secure them the Premier League title, and got off to a flying start when Vincent Kompany gave them the lead with 25 minutes gone.
And Pep Guardiola’s men looked to have secured all three points and the title only five minutes later when midfielder Ilkay Gundogan produced a fine turn and finish in a crowded United penalty area to double their advantage.
A dejected United looked a defeated side going into half-time, however it was Pogba who inspired his side to produce one of the season’s most unlikely and memorable turnarounds.
The former Juventus star halved City’s lead eight minutes into the second half when he finished off a fine team move, and was at it again 90 seconds later when he headed home to level the scores.
The remarkable turnaround was complete when an un-marked Chris Smalling steered home Alexis Sanchez’s free-kick on 69 minutes.
Pogba has had a hit-and-miss season with Jose Mourinho seemingly unable to find his most profitable position in the United midfield, however his display on Saturday afternoon was certainly one of his best since joining the club as a world record signing back in the summer of 2016.
Speaking after the win, Pogba said: “To be honest, I didn’t want to lose against City,” the midfielder told Sky Sports. “Last year, I still have it in my mind.
“Played at City, if they win they are champions against Manchester United. For all the fans it would be like death.
“To lose against Manchester City and to see them celebrate in their own stadium, I couldn’t let this happen, to be honest.”
Absolutely love this, after scoring 2 goals, Pogba saying to De Gea ‘You won us that game’ #Class ?? pic.twitter.com/R7c09WKZjH
— Now Football (@Now__Football) April 8, 2018
November 1993 – Man City 2-0 at HT United win 3-2. (Cantona x2)
August 2011 – Man City 2-0 at HT United win 3-2. (Nani x2)
April 2018 – Man City 2-0 at HT United win 3-2. (Pogba x2)
Football heritage. #mufc pic.twitter.com/Bt9eQAMrTf
— United Xtra (@utdxtra) April 9, 2018
2 goals.
97 seconds.@paulpogba – the game changer#MCIMUN pic.twitter.com/BDWgyH3NEx— Premier League (@premierleague) April 7, 2018
Manchester #DerbyDay summary… @paulpogba ??⚽️ #MUFC https://t.co/CaeVhCxISN pic.twitter.com/cZIIQCW7NV
— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) April 8, 2018
I must have watched Pogba's 2nd goal like 156 times already
— O O (@otoiks) April 9, 2018
Ahhh how every @ManUtd fan woke up this morning courtesy of @paulpogba ? pic.twitter.com/lk7Iue4cUD
— ¹⁹? (@Rashford101) April 9, 2018
Not a bad weekend for United: ruined City's title party, Pogba silenced critics, Liverpool dropped points, Chicharito effectively sent Chelsea to the Europa League. Feel good factor has returned after Sevilla and you just hope continues ahead of the FA Cup semi-final.
— The Peoples Person (@PeoplesPerson_) April 9, 2018
That Pogba tackle on Otamendi to stop him from charging forward >>> ?
— Quadri (@le_capone) April 9, 2018
Goodnight ? #mufc @paulpogba @Alexis_Sanchez pic.twitter.com/q5lNguzyly
— The Man Utd Way (@TheManUtdWay) April 8, 2018
This is what ⚽ Fans are talking about!
Great play and a super finish by Paul Pogba. #mufc pic.twitter.com/wYuugCCXa2— NewsBytesMag™ (@newsbytesmag) April 9, 2018