Analyzing Paul Pogba's Performance vs. Chelsea

Without the injured Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard, as well as, of course, David de Gea, who has been rested in domestic cup competitions this season,  Manchester United took on a full strength Chelsea side at Stamford Bridge. They didn't just beat them: they wiped the floor with them, adding to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's honeymoon spell and Maurizio Sarri's misery.

Perhaps United weren't that good; perhaps Chelsea were just so bad. Whatever the case, in a FA Cup split between larger-than-life superstars and big-money signings, one player reigned supreme throughout the match: Paul Labile Pogba. Since Solskjaer's arrival as caretaker manager, Pogba has played the best football of his career, and many would claim that, since the Norwegian took over at the club, he has been the best midfielder in football. Whether they're right or not, his performance on Monday certainly didn't hurt his cause.

Energy in Transition

The first chance of the match came in the second minute, and it wouldn't have happened without trademark box-to-box play from United's star midfielder. After retreating to the first line of defense to cover César Azpilicueta's run, Pogba hustled forward to provide a quick passing option for Nemanja Matić. Cutting inside from the left, he holds off Azpilicueta before finding Juan Mata in his #10 position. Mata quickly dishes it out to Romelu Lukaku on the left, who fires a surprisingly accurate cross which is then blocked by a last-ditch clearance from David Luiz. Corner kick.