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Man Utd news: Ian Wright makes ‘worrying’ claim about Paul Pogba after Young Boys brace
PAUL POGBA’s long penalty run-up worries Sky Sports pundit Ian Wright although he scored his spot-kick against Young Boys last night.
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The Red Devils ace despatched from 12 yards for the third time this season after also converting from the spot against Leicester and Brighton earlier in the campaign.
The France midfielder missed a penalty in a win at Burnley earlier this month in which his unique technique was much criticised.
Pogba has used a stuttering run-up and took 10 seconds slowly making his way towards the ball before scoring in United’s opening Champions League group game in Switzerland last night.
United ran out 3-0 winners with Pogba scoring twice as Jose Mourinho’s men secured a third straight win across all competitions.
But despite his display, having once again worn the captain’s armband, Pogba’s penalty-taking approach attracted criticism from both Wright and Craig Bellamy.
Speaking on The Debate on Sky Sports, Arsenal hero Wright said: “It really worries me, the long run-up.
“The worst I’ve seen was that Zaza for Italy when he did the pony hop kind of thing!
“We’ve seen him [Pogba] miss one at Burnley and this one he’s scored, but he has to get it higher.
If he doesn’t get it right, goalkeepers are knowing which way to go now.
“The first one he took first game of the season against Leicester was fantastic because it was high and the goalkeeper got no where near it.
“This one, like we said, he changed his side against Joe Hart and Hart saved it.
“This one wasn’t quite in the corner so it’s something, that side, that people are starting to read.
“He’s going very slow and he wants to go on that side which is a real quality strike up into there. If he doesn’t get it right, goalkeepers are knowing which way to go now.”
And Bellamy also critiqued Pogba’s spot-kick style, calling it unnecessary.
He added: “I don’t mind, Di Canio would do it when he was waiting for the dive but he isn’t.
“He’s hitting it as the same direction as the goalkeeper, he’s not waiting for him to move. So I find it hard to understand.”
On the victory itself, Bellamy explained: “They needed to win because obviously the quality of teams they have in their group.
“The artificial pitch was the only stumbling block I saw with Young Boys. I thought United did a great job, dealt with the pitch - and I know a lot people will say it’s the same but it’s not the same, 3G really isn’t - so credit to them, they got the job done.
“Pogba; brilliant first goal, took his penalty again. [Anthony] Martial as well, we all like seeing him.
“Sometimes he frustrates you because you want to see more of him. It’s not so much his fault because when he does play he doesn’t look like the Martial [he can be] because he’s not getting as much game time as we all believe, I wouldn’t say deserves, but we would like to see because he’s got real good talent there.”
Pogba now has four goals to his name this season and will hope to maintain his goalscoring form when United take on Wolves on home soil this Saturday (3pm).