Roy Keane bemoans Paul Pogba for missing his 'moment to be the main man'

Published on: 17 January 2021

Roy Keane believes Paul Pogba passed up his moment to be the 'main man' for Manchester United when he missed a chance he 'had to take' in Sunday's 0-0 draw with Liverpool.

The league leaders maintained their three point lead over their bitter rivals with the stalemate at Anfield but Pogba could have opened the gap up to six when he was presented with a huge opportunity in the 83rd minute.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka cut the ball back to him in the box from the right and he took a fine first touch before smashing it straight at Alisson.

And former United captain Keane believes he should have scored.

He said on Sky Sports: 'You can tell by his (Pogba's) reaction. The first touch is excellent but oh my God. He has to score. Go across the goalkeeper, he can do that (looking at the defender).

'His first touch was so good, he's given himself the opportunity to go across. But credit to the goalkeeper, he stood up and made himself big. That was the chance you were praying for before the game.

'You can't say Liverpool are playing badly but they've lost their spark. When you get opportunities like Pogba's, (you must be) so disappointed. We gave him a big build-up and that was the moment for him to be the main man, you have to take that chance. I won't be too critical of United.

'The back four, which worries me at times, were brilliant. Shaw was brilliant, defensively and going forward. Rashford didn't turn up, Fernandes didn't (really) play either but they still got the best two chances of the game.

Fellow pundit Micah Richards thinks United were right to find a place in the team for Pogba:

'I know he's been inconsistent in a Man United jersey but when he's playing at his best, he's United's best midfielder,' the former City man said. 'He can create, against Burnley you saw him in a role where he did do the nasty stuff. He could do the nice skills and stuff like that. It comes naturally to him.

'I've been a massive fan of him. He needs to do it more often but this is going to determine how big a player he is. This is the biggest game for Man United. To be a hero and get legendary status, you have to turn up in big games. He's not done that enough.

'I've played against him on numerous occasions. He ran rings around me - Roy said that's not hard. I do believe - everyone's talking about Fernandes - Pogba's had just as much influence by receiving balls in tight areas, not playing easy balls. I think he can get to that world class tag because he's got so much.'

Source: m.allfootballapp.com

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