Manchester United's French midfielder Paul Pogba warms up ahead of the Europa League quarter-final, second leg against Granada at Old Trafford. AFP
Manchester United's French midfielder Paul Pogba warms up ahead of the Europa League quarter-final, second leg against Granada at Old Trafford. AFP
Manchester United's Paul Pogba was made captain for the match in the absence of Harry Maguire, EPA
Manchester United's Paul Pogba was made captain for the match in the absence of Harry Maguire, EPA
Manchester United's Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani kneel before kick off. EPA
Manchester United's Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani kneel before kick off. EPA
Manchester United's French midfielder Paul Pogba wins a header in the build-up to the opening goal by Edinson Cavani. AFP
Manchester United's French midfielder Paul Pogba wins a header in the build-up to the opening goal by Edinson Cavani. AFP
Manchester United's Paul Pogba in action with Granada's Yangel Herrera. Reuters
Manchester United's Paul Pogba in action with Granada's Yangel Herrera. Reuters
epa09137973 Manchester United's Paul Pogba. EPA
epa09137973 Manchester United's Paul Pogba. EPA
Manchester United's Brazilian defender Alex Telles looks on as Granada's Brazilian midfielder Kenedy vies with Manchester United's French midfielder Paul Pogba, AFP
Manchester United's Brazilian defender Alex Telles looks on as Granada's Brazilian midfielder Kenedy vies with Manchester United's French midfielder Paul Pogba, AFP
Manchester United's Paul Pogba, EPA
Manchester United's Paul Pogba, EPA

Football

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has 'no problem' with new documentary on Paul Pogba

Manchester United and France midfielder will be the focus of a documentary titled 'The Pogmentary' which is set to be released in 2022

Steve Luckings
Steve Luckings
Abu Dhabi

April 18, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he has no issues regarding a new Amazon Prime documentary on Paul Pogba, insisting the French midfielder is fully focused on helping the team win matches.

The 2018 World Cup winner will be the focus of a documentary titled The Pogmentary which is set to be released in 2022.

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Solskjaer said Pogba has "been in the spotlight" ever since he started his youth team career at United more than a decade ago, and that he "doesn't see a problem" with the documentary.

"Paul's main focus is to get as much out of his career as possible. He wants to be the best player he can be and he wants to win as many trophies as possible," Solskjaer said.

"He's already won the World Cup and I can see his focus now is all about winning and playing the best possible football he can. I know his personality. He's so lively, gets energy from making people happy. But his main focus will always be to win games for us."

Pogba, 28, whose contract runs until the summer of 2022, has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford at the end of the season having failed to showcase his considerable talents on a consistent basis since rejoining United from Juventus for £89.3 million ($123 million) in 2016.

His current campaign has been beset by injuries, yielding only three goals and three assists in the Premier League.

United, who are second in the Premier League with 63 points from 31 games, host Burnley on Sunday.

They are also in the semi-finals of the Europa League, taking on Italian side AS Roma later this month.

MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYER RATINGS: David De Gea 7. Three attempts on his goal from his compatriots, two of them in the last five minutes. Solid saving an 85th minute strike from Diaz and then made a better reflex save from Herrera for another clean sheet. AFP
MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYER RATINGS: David De Gea 7. Three attempts on his goal from his compatriots, two of them in the last five minutes. Solid saving an 85th minute strike from Diaz and then made a better reflex save from Herrera for another clean sheet. AFP
Aaron Wan Bissaka 8. Inadvertently set up Kenedy with a poor square ball just before half time, while good defending saw him deflect a ball. Fine tackling to set up a counter attack with Greenwood and then Van de Beek after 59. EPA
Aaron Wan Bissaka 8. Inadvertently set up Kenedy with a poor square ball just before half time, while good defending saw him deflect a ball. Fine tackling to set up a counter attack with Greenwood and then Van de Beek after 59. EPA
Victor Lindelof 7. Comfortable all night against a team who kept him on his toes as he played without his usual partner Harry Maguire. Reuters
Victor Lindelof 7. Comfortable all night against a team who kept him on his toes as he played without his usual partner Harry Maguire. Reuters
Axel Tuanzebe 7. Rare start and played well with a composed performance. Fine block from a Luiz Suarez shot. Needed that. Getty Images
Axel Tuanzebe 7. Rare start and played well with a composed performance. Fine block from a Luiz Suarez shot. Needed that. Getty Images
Alex Telles 7. Combined well with Pogba on the left in the first half and crossed towards Mata for the second goal as United defeated Spanish opponents at home for only the second time in 11 games. AFP
Alex Telles 7. Combined well with Pogba on the left in the first half and crossed towards Mata for the second goal as United defeated Spanish opponents at home for only the second time in 11 games. AFP
Nemanja Matic 7. Beautiful lofted pass to Fernandes after 33 which was volleyed over from close range. More touches – 100 – than any other player on the pitch. Fine playing in games like this. Reuters
Nemanja Matic 7. Beautiful lofted pass to Fernandes after 33 which was volleyed over from close range. More touches – 100 – than any other player on the pitch. Fine playing in games like this. Reuters
Fred 6. Played alongside Matic in a holding midfield two. Energy as ever as United controlled the game as they had in Spain, but gave the ball away too much in the first half. EPA
Fred 6. Played alongside Matic in a holding midfield two. Energy as ever as United controlled the game as they had in Spain, but gave the ball away too much in the first half. EPA
Paul Pogba 7 Eventful first half for the captain where he was everywhere, tackling and pushing forward. Clever run and reverse header to set up Cavani for the opener, then a yellow card for holding off a player, and was fortunate to not to get another yellow. Banged his knee before half time too. Was rightly brought off at half time. EPA
Paul Pogba 7 Eventful first half for the captain where he was everywhere, tackling and pushing forward. Clever run and reverse header to set up Cavani for the opener, then a yellow card for holding off a player, and was fortunate to not to get another yellow. Banged his knee before half time too. Was rightly brought off at half time. EPA
Bruno Fernandes 7. Volleyed a 33rd minute pass from Matic over and skewed a shot wide after being set up by Cavani five minutes later. The pair combined again in the 56th minute, two world class players who need to stay together and play together. By that time he had moved left as Van de Beek played centrally. AP
Bruno Fernandes 7. Volleyed a 33rd minute pass from Matic over and skewed a shot wide after being set up by Cavani five minutes later. The pair combined again in the 56th minute, two world class players who need to stay together and play together. By that time he had moved left as Van de Beek played centrally. AP
Mason Greenwood 6. Wild shot after 43 which went well wide. Big chance to head his side 2-0 up after 50 minutes. He’s been playing well, but two so-so games against the Spaniards. EPA
Mason Greenwood 6. Wild shot after 43 which went well wide. Big chance to head his side 2-0 up after 50 minutes. He’s been playing well, but two so-so games against the Spaniards. EPA
Edinson Cavani 8. In-form and chasing his first European goal for United and his 50th goal in European competition, the Uruguayan pushed a fourth minute ball to Greenwood but it was short. Two minutes later he volleyed Pogba’s header into the far corner to put his side ahead – his 413th goal for clubs and country. Incredible movement before shouldering a 56th minute Fernandes cross wide. EPA
Edinson Cavani 8. In-form and chasing his first European goal for United and his 50th goal in European competition, the Uruguayan pushed a fourth minute ball to Greenwood but it was short. Two minutes later he volleyed Pogba’s header into the far corner to put his side ahead – his 413th goal for clubs and country. Incredible movement before shouldering a 56th minute Fernandes cross wide. EPA
SUBS: Donny Van de Beek 7. Slight surprise that he didn’t start but replaced Pogba at half time and went into the role where Fernandes had played. Shot wide after 58. Neat link ups. Encouraging – he needed that. AFP
SUBS: Donny Van de Beek 7. Slight surprise that he didn’t start but replaced Pogba at half time and went into the role where Fernandes had played. Shot wide after 58. Neat link ups. Encouraging – he needed that. AFP
Daniel James 6. On for Cavani after 60. More minutes for a player who wouldn’t be in United’s strongest XI. Reuters
Daniel James 6. On for Cavani after 60. More minutes for a player who wouldn’t be in United’s strongest XI. Reuters
Juan Mata N/A. On for Fernandes after 73 for a late – and rare – appearance. Was in position to head the second, which went in off Vallejo. Getty Images
Juan Mata N/A. On for Fernandes after 73 for a late – and rare – appearance. Was in position to head the second, which went in off Vallejo. Getty Images
Amad Diallo N/A. On for Greenwood after 81. Stopped from running on goal which looked like a card. He'll be going back to Italy as Roma are the opponents in the semi final. Reuters
Amad Diallo N/A. On for Greenwood after 81. Stopped from running on goal which looked like a card. He'll be going back to Italy as Roma are the opponents in the semi final. Reuters
GRANADA PLAYER RATINGS: Rui Silva 6 - Not much to do other than pick the ball out of the net on two occasions. EPA
GRANADA PLAYER RATINGS: Rui Silva 6 - Not much to do other than pick the ball out of the net on two occasions. EPA
Dimitri Foulquier 7 - The full-back was powerful when running with the ball and also defended well. One of Granada’s best players displaying good technique with crossing but it was a lacklustre attacking performance all-round from the visitors. EPA
Dimitri Foulquier 7 - The full-back was powerful when running with the ball and also defended well. One of Granada’s best players displaying good technique with crossing but it was a lacklustre attacking performance all-round from the visitors. EPA
Jesus Vallejo 5 - A lack of concentration at times allowed United to get into dangerous situations. Didn’t seem to be in sync with Granada’s defensive line and that showed when heading the ball into his own net in the 90th minute. Reuters
Jesus Vallejo 5 - A lack of concentration at times allowed United to get into dangerous situations. Didn’t seem to be in sync with Granada’s defensive line and that showed when heading the ball into his own net in the 90th minute. Reuters
German Sanchez 6 - Looked to organise the defence well but Cavani was given far too much space in the box for the United opener. Cut out a ball that looked destined for James in the 70th minute, but the game looked to be over by then. Getty Images
German Sanchez 6 - Looked to organise the defence well but Cavani was given far too much space in the box for the United opener. Cut out a ball that looked destined for James in the 70th minute, but the game looked to be over by then. Getty Images
Carlos Neva 6 - Positive going forward when supporting down the left flank but sometimes left space which was exploited by United on a number of occasions throughout the game. AFP
Carlos Neva 6 - Positive going forward when supporting down the left flank but sometimes left space which was exploited by United on a number of occasions throughout the game. AFP
Angel Montoro 6 - Helped transition the ball into some good areas but Granada never look like overturning the deficit. United’s defensive performance made it difficult for the Spanish side to create enough meaningful opportunities. EPA
Angel Montoro 6 - Helped transition the ball into some good areas but Granada never look like overturning the deficit. United’s defensive performance made it difficult for the Spanish side to create enough meaningful opportunities. EPA
Maxime Gonalons 6 - The French midfielder couldn’t get into the game before being forced off with an injury just after the half-hour mark. AP
Maxime Gonalons 6 - The French midfielder couldn’t get into the game before being forced off with an injury just after the half-hour mark. AP
Kenedy 5 - A rabona cross and a wild shot that nearly went out for a throw-in were the only times Kenedy stood out. Taken off at half-time. Getty Images
Kenedy 5 - A rabona cross and a wild shot that nearly went out for a throw-in were the only times Kenedy stood out. Taken off at half-time. Getty Images
Yangel Herrera 6 - Had some of Granada’s best chances of the game with some intelligent movement but was unable to convert on all three headers. Should have levelled the scoring late-on but a good save from De Gea denied the playmaker. Getty Images
Yangel Herrera 6 - Had some of Granada’s best chances of the game with some intelligent movement but was unable to convert on all three headers. Should have levelled the scoring late-on but a good save from De Gea denied the playmaker. Getty Images
Darwin Machis 5 - Showed good pace when challenging United defenders but the end product just wasn’t there. Almost non-existent in the second half as Wan-Bissaka kept the winger quiet. AP
Darwin Machis 5 - Showed good pace when challenging United defenders but the end product just wasn’t there. Almost non-existent in the second half as Wan-Bissaka kept the winger quiet. AP
Roberto Soldado 5 - The former Tottenham striker couldn’t get on the ball in any dangerous areas and was substituted at the break. EPA
Roberto Soldado 5 - The former Tottenham striker couldn’t get on the ball in any dangerous areas and was substituted at the break. EPA
SUBS: Jorge Molina (Gonalons, 32) 6 - The 38-year-old worked hard but should have done better with Foulquier’s cross that didn’t threaten De Gea’s goal. AFP
SUBS: Jorge Molina (Gonalons, 32) 6 - The 38-year-old worked hard but should have done better with Foulquier’s cross that didn’t threaten De Gea’s goal. AFP
Antonio Puertas (Kenedy, 45) 6 - Added flair to Granada’s midfield with a number of neat touches to create space but couldn’t penetrate a compact United backline. PA
Antonio Puertas (Kenedy, 45) 6 - Added flair to Granada’s midfield with a number of neat touches to create space but couldn’t penetrate a compact United backline. PA
Luis Suarez (Soldado, 45) 5 - Offered more in the box than Soldado but couldn’t get the better of the two centre-backs. AFP
Luis Suarez (Soldado, 45) 5 - Offered more in the box than Soldado but couldn’t get the better of the two centre-backs. AFP
Victor Diaz (Neva, 74) N/A - A good effort nearly troubled De Gea from outside the box but finding three goals in 16 minutes was always going to be a mammoth task. Could have been sent off for a foul on Diallo who looked to be one-on-one against Silva. PA
Victor Diaz (Neva, 74) N/A - A good effort nearly troubled De Gea from outside the box but finding three goals in 16 minutes was always going to be a mammoth task. Could have been sent off for a foul on Diallo who looked to be one-on-one against Silva. PA
Neuhen Perez (Sanchez, 82) N/A - Granada substituting a defender on for their captain and centre-back looked to be the waving of the white flag by the Spanish side. EPA
Neuhen Perez (Sanchez, 82) N/A - Granada substituting a defender on for their captain and centre-back looked to be the waving of the white flag by the Spanish side. EPA

United exited at the same stage last season, and Solskjaer, 47, revealed his squad are keen to erase that 2-1 defeat to Sevilla.

“We are aiming to finish the season on a high – and the best possible way to do that would be to win the Europa League,” said Solskjaer.

"That's something we have been working on and thinking about for almost a year - the way we went out of the semi-final last season really hurt us. You can see from the focus the players have in the Europa League games that this time they want to go all the way to the final and lift the trophy. Last year is definitely driving us on. Sometimes you get extra motivation from setbacks. We're really looking forward to Roma.

“Roma are a good team. It’s going to be difficult. But before we play them we’ve got a couple of tough games against Burnley and Leeds.”

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