PAUL POGBA produced an outrageous piece of skill to help give Manchester United the lead during their win over Aston Villa on Friday night.
The France midfielder, 28, was given the start by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the huge game at Old Trafford.
Pogba produced an incredible piece of skill to help United take the lead during their win over Villa on FridayCredit: AFP
Pogba’s flick led to Anthony Martial nodding home United’s openerCredit: EPA
And Pogba repaid his boss’ faith with an impressive performance capped by a superb piece of skill in the build-up to the game’s first goal.
Standing in his own half, Pogba plucked the ball out of the air with a sublime first touch to bring it under control.
Rather than put it on the deck, the 2018 World Cup winner flicked the ball over a helpless John McGinn’s head.
Pogba then nodded the ball out wide to Marcus Rashford.
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The gorgeous piece of trickery led to United taking a 1-0 lead over high-flying Villa.
Having dished the ball out to Rashford, the England forward quickly played the ball out to Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
The right-back’s cross was missed by Tyrone Mings, leaving Martial free to nod the ball past Emiliano Martinez in the Villa goal.
Bertrand Traore equalised for Villa after 58 minutes to set up a tense finale.
But Bruno Fernandes nervelessly tucked away a penalty just three minutes later to ensure United took all three points and moved level on points with league leaders Liverpool.
However, there was some controversy surrounding the game-deciding penalty.
Villa boss Dean Smith claimed Pogba ‘tripped himself’ after he appeared to be brought down by Douglas Luiz.
Speaking after the game, Smith said: “My view was it was a penalty from where I was stood.
“I thought Douglas had got too tight with Pogba and he went down.
“But I’ve just gone in the dressing room and seen it back and there’s a lot of doubt.
“I think he’s tripped himself up.
“Similar to Douglas when he was running back in the first half – he tripped himself up.
“For me there’s enough doubt to send [referee Michael Oliver] over to the [VAR] screen but he doesn’t get sent over to the screen.
“I’m confused but I feel he tripped himself over.”
Paul Pogba ‘tripped himself’ for ‘dubious’ Man Utd penalty, claims Aston Villa chief Dean Smith
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
