100% French shock in the midfield in Gdansk: star Paul Pogba may be playing part of his future with Manchester United on Wednesday in the Europa League final (9:00 p.m.) against Villarreal, where he will challenge his compatriot Etienne Capoue in the midfield , former Premier League resident.
The fight promises to be epic between the two athletes – 1.91m for Pogba, 1.89m for Capua -, who have been central elements in the good course of their teams in recent weeks.
In England, their paths crossed 5 times when Capua played at Watford and “La Pioche” returned to Manchester United in the summer of 2016.
Three confrontations turned to the advantage of the world champion and two in the direction of the native of Niort, who had even scored in a 3-1 victory in 2016.
A scenario for which the 32-year-old would immediately sign, who had had a very promising start to his career at Toulouse.
He even had the honors of the France team, under the new coach Didier Deschamps, 7 times, between August 2012 and August 2013, before disappearing right when Pogba imposed himself.
Capoue had spun to Tottenham in the summer of 2013 where he never convinced, before joining Watford in 2015.
– Objective C1 for Capua –
Relegated to Championship (D2) at the end of last season, he jumped on the challenge proposed by Villarreal and Unai Emery who needed this experienced N.6 to seal the “yellow submarine”, after the ligament rupture. Vicente Iborra’s left knee anterior cross, in December.
Capoue arrived with a clear objective: “To play the Champions League. It’s a competition that I have not yet had the opportunity to play, and I would very much like to do it with Villarreal”, he explained from his arrival in january.
This will require a victory on Wednesday: the club from the Valencia region, only qualified for the Europa League Conference next season, will only play the C1 in the event of a coronation on Wednesday in Gdansk.
“Very comfortable” in a pivotal midfield role “ideal” for his profile, in his own words, Capua quickly found his marks, despite a muscle injury that disrupted his integration.
Alternating defensive and mounted tasks to break the opposing front curtain, he became essential for Emery, until he scored his first goal in La Liga two weeks ago, with a superb strike from afar (90th + 2), during the success 2-0 at Valladolid.
While United leader Bruno Fernandes is likely to be in his zone more often, Capua knows full well that the danger will also come from Paul Pogba who has arguably managed his most regular season with United.
Dolphins of the untouchable Manchester City, the Red Devils could count on the physical impact, the vista and the technique of the number 6, able to play in different registers, even if he prefers that of left attacking midfielder.
– Pogba: a final for a golden contract? –
While many feared a war of ego, the sharing of the animation of the attack was done very naturally with Bruno Fernandes, real master at playing Mancuniens, when his teammate is more of a destabilizing and unpredictable element.
The arrival of a real world-class nine, in the person of Edinson Cavani, also offered more latitude to Pogba, whether in his combinations with the Uruguayan or to project himself by taking advantage of the spaces created by his incessant calls.
As one begins to think that with some success in recruiting this summer, United may well become a credible Premier League title contender again next year, the question of whether it will be with or without Pogba is obviously not trivial.
The Frenchman was given starting almost certain this winter, while he only has one year of contract left. And it negotiates dry behind the scenes.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a very good relationship with Pogba and is keen to keep him. But the salary requirements presented by his agent Mino Raiola – we are talking about 400,000 pounds (460,000 euros) per week – would go badly with the management of the club.
A big performance in the final and a first trophy since the Europa League 2017 would undoubtedly help to bring the positions together.
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