Pogba outlines United's free-kick plan for Arsenal
Ashley Young’s stunning free-kick against Watford has sparked a healthy debate about who might be on set-piece duty for Manchester United going forward, so much so that Paul Pogba does not know who will inherit the responsibility at Arsenal this coming weekend.
That was Ashley’s second goal of the night against his former club and United won the important Premier League game 4-2, with Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard also getting on the scoresheet.
During an interview with MUTV on Thursday afternoon, Pogba revealed Young acted on instinct when the free-kick was won. “To be honest, I won the foul, they fouled me and he just came and took the ball straight away,” Paul told us. “He didn't even speak because he was so confident.
“He took it and scored. But I would never fight it for a free-kick or a penalty, or whatever, because we all want the same result. We want to score and we want to win the game. So I was very happy.”
So who will step up at the Emirates Stadium if a set-piece is won in a dangerous position? Pogba explained: “The one who is feeling it the most. Ash just scored the goal at Watford so if he feels it then fine, or I feel it then I will tell him. We will see what happens in the game.”
"They want to beat us at their home. But we need three points to get closer to Manchester City. That it is. It is a very important game this weekend.”
“Alex has been great, he is scoring goals and playing well for Arsenal. He is a big player for them and if he is not there I would say it is good for us."
ARSENAL WILL MISS LACAZETTE
Arsene Wenger has confirmed seven-goal star striker Alexandre Lacazette will miss Saturday’s big game due to injury and Pogba believes the Gunners will miss his fellow France international.
“Alex has been great and at this moment he is scoring goals and playing well for the team,” Paul told MUTV. “He is a big player for them and if he is not there I would say it is good for us. I hope for us that he doesn't play because that will help us, but I also hope he doesn't have a bad injury.”
Pressed on the importance of the game itself, Pogba was in determined mood: “These games that are coming up are very important for the rest of the season. This is Manchester United and Arsenal, we don't know want to lose to one of the big teams in England. They want to come up. They have had a bad time I would say, so they want to beat us at their home. But we need three points to get closer to Manchester City. That it is. It is a very important game this weekend.”