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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Casey Evans

Paul Pogba proved Manchester United leadership role with rant at David de Gea vs Leeds United

Paul Pogba's return to Manchester United's starting XI has helped offer a much-needed injection of energy and creativity in midfield for Ralf Rangnick.

Before his injury and in the first match of the season against Leeds United, Pogba registered four assists as his team won 5-1 at Old Trafford, and now in the reverse fixture, he seemed just as vital.

United fans were put on edge as the two-goal lead that they had gained through goals through Harry Maguire, from the club's first corner goal of the season (at last...) and Bruno Fernandes, was quickly cancelled out in the second half by Leeds with two goals in two minutes.

Luckily order was restored thanks to goals from Fred and Anthony Elanga towards the end of the game and a man-of-the-match performance from Jadon Sancho.

In his 67 minutes on the pitch, Pogba did not register a goal and assist but his performance gained plaudits from United fans, as our clock watch of some of his key highlights show.

10th Minute

Pogba's passing throughout the game was flawless but it was his shooting that nearly opened the scoring for United. A well-placed shot from outside the box was spilt by Meslier due to the power that the Frenchman placed on it and was nearly chased in by Fernandes.

With Leeds looking the better of the two sides in the early stages, it was the exact type of spark that United needed to wrestle back control of the game.

26th Minute

What should have been Pogba's biggest contribution of the game, if not for an inexplicable moment of weakness from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Pogba beat Adam Forshaw on the left-hand side of the pitch with a clever piece of skill, before driving a ball across the face of the goal. It was met by Ronaldo, who had a lot of the net to aim at, but hesitation led to him mistiming his shot and he struck it straight at Illan Meslier.

Given the four goals that followed it will not stick out as a key moment but it still should have been another assist to add to Pogba's already fantastic return this season.

49th Minute

This was a similar sort of chance as in the 26th minute but this time from the right. However, with the weather taking a turn for the worse, it seemed that no one in the box could read the pace of the ball at all.

51st Minute

Pogba is not always considered a leader but it is a role that he takes up for France and he showed it today for United. When David de Gea and the defence were causing problems for themselves with their panicked passing.

The TV cameras fixed on Pogba barking instructions at his backline to slow down and play safer which was something that they definitely need to hear but it did not stop the two-goal salvo that followed from the home side.

Overall, it was an understated performance from Pogba but an important one and he is showing why Ralf Rangnick has decided to play him despite the ever-looming issue of his contract expiring in the summer.

Were you happy with Paul Pogba's performance against Leeds United? Follow our United On My Mind writer Casey Evans on Twitter and get involved in the discussion in the comments section below.

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