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The making of Pogba
- Updated: July 29, 2016
In conversation with former Manchester United youth coach Paul McGuinness, Adam Bate examines how the learning culture at the club helped Paul Pogba develop into a star.
It might have been Paul McGuinness’s first summer since his 28-year stay at Manchester United came to an end, but he had no appetite for a break from football. Instead, the former United youth coach travelled to France to see some of the club’s 13 graduates in action.
He took particular pleasure in James Chester’s performances for Wales at Euro 2016. But the first game that McGuinness saw was the hosts’ opener against Romania in the Stade de France. His former charge Paul Pogba was expected to be the star of the show for France.
He had his moments. There was a fine volley and a spectacular angled through-ball. But Didier Deschamps dropped Pogba for the next game amid talk he attempted too much. For McGuinness, it’s the memories of the 16-year-old who arrived from Le Havre that endure.
“He’s still developing,” McGuinness tells Sky Sports, his protective instincts as attuned as ever. “Everyone thinks he has to be the finished article but he’s only 23. There are things to work on but the potential is massive. He’s fantastic physically and has incredible skills.
“The likes of Zinedine Zidane didn’t become a real force until later on. You have to find your whole game. He’s already there at the top but there’s also the prospect of what he could become if he carries on working hard. He really could become a special player.”
The journey to becoming that special player began in earnest at Old Trafford. After joining the club in 2009, Pogba became one of the stars of a strong youth team that included Jesse Lingard and Ravel Morrison. Under McGuinness, they won the 2011 FA Youth Cup.
One of the players in that squad, John Cofie, insists McGuinness deserves much of the credit for aiding Pogba’s development but – ever the team man – he gives such words short shrift. “I don’t know about that,” says McGuinness. Too many others played their part as well.
There was Jim Ryan, the veteran United man who was the club’s director of youth …
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