The Pogba effect: How United have missed their star midfielder
Paul Pogba has not featured for Manchester United since September, after suffering an injury in the Champions League clash against Basel, and the numbers suggest he has been missed.
Pogba, who returned to Old Trafford last season for a then world record fee of £89m, has not played for United in the Premier League since September 9, when they were joint top with Manchester City on 10 points. Just over two months later, they are eight points adrift of Pep Guardiola's side.
Is Pogba's absence the reason for United's dip in form? The numbers would suggest so.
The Frenchman adds a confident presence to the United midfield, he tracks back to defend but can also force the team forward. He is a leader and it is clear that Jose Mourinho has missed him.
The Red Devils were handed a boost this week when Pogba returned to group training at Carrington and he is reportedly targeting the game against Newcastle on November 18 to make his comeback.
With regard to their last loss against Chelsea, Gary Neville felt that the game was won and lost in midfield, as United were 'killed' in that department. The last two months have shown how vital Pogba is to Mourinho's plans.
With the 24-year-old in the team, United have created 14.8 chances per game in the Premier League season. Without him, they create less than half, with just 7.
With Pogba they average three goals per game, but without him just 1.6.
They also give up a further 17.9% of possession when he isn't in their midfield.
At the time of his injury Pogba was creating more chances than any of his team-mates and had completed the most passes in the opposition half and also completed the most dribbles.
One man has missed his contribution more than most, and that's Romelu Lukaku.
The Belgian striker has not scored in his last seven games in all competitions, and didn't even manage a single touch in the Chelsea box last weekend without the influential midfielder's creative presence.
Despite saying he didn’t ‘cry’ about his players’ injuries, unlike other managers, Jose Mourinho did feel it necessary to mention Pogba’s absence after the loss to Chelsea, so he’s clearly missing his main man.
With United now eight points adrift in the Premier League title race, Mourinho will hope Pogba will pick up where he left off before his injury to spark United back into action and close the gap with their local rivals.