Paul Pogba: 'At the end of the season, those games, those three points, will be very important'

Paul Pogba was left frustrated by a draw at Southampton (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Paul Pogba was left frustrated by the draw at Southampton as the Manchester United midfielder feels winning such games could prove key in the final Premier League shake-up.

Having opened the season with a breathless 5-1 triumph against rivals Leeds, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men could only draw 1-1 at St Mary’s against a side they hit nine without reply against at Old Trafford earlier in the year.

Mason Greenwood cancelled out Che Adams’ strike deflected in off Fred to secure United a point on an afternoon when both sides had chances to secure victory.

🔊 Time to hear the post-match thoughts of @PaulPogba ⬇️#MUFC | #SOUMUN pic.twitter.com/t9KbxM3BdL

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 22, 2021

The draw left impressive Pogba unfulfilled and hungry to kick on at Wolves next weekend.

“I think we deserved more, but you have to show more also on the pitch,” the France international said.

“After the goal we scored, we dropped a little bit, we lose control of the game a bit and that’s why I think we didn’t get the second goal.

“I think we dropped a few points today. We get one point, we stay focused.

I think at the end of the season, those games, those three points, will be very important.

Paul Pogba

“Obviously we’re happy we didn’t lose today and we take this point with positivity.

“But we know those game. I think at the end of the season, those games, those three points, will be very important.

“So, today we didn’t lose, we got one point and the next game away we know that those points will be very important for us and we don’t want to give them away.”

Next Sunday’s trip to Molineux could see United make history by becoming the first side to go 28 straight top-flight away matches unbeaten.

Keep pushing. Keep going. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/EasuvjYRLn

— Paul Pogba (@paulpogba) August 22, 2021

Solskjaer’s side equalled Arsenal’s run from 17 years ago by drawing at St Mary’s but Pogba has bigger achievements in mind.

“It’s always good but I prefer to win the league and don’t have the record,” he told MUTV.

“It’s good, it’s positive. Next time what we want to have a record of winning away – that would be the best and not draw when we know we can win these games.”

Pogba spoke well after the draw at Southampton, where marquee summer signings Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho were named on the bench.

Jadon Sancho made his Manchester United debut at Southampton (Andrew Matthews/PA)

The latter came on and veteran Edinson Cavani will get another week of fitness under his belt following an extended summer break, increasing United’s threat heading to Wolves next weekend.

“When he we have the full team it’s always good,” Pogba added.

“We know we have a very strong team with excellent individual players that can make the difference at any time.

“They’re getting ready and they’re ready to come on, like J today. He came on and show his ability, his quality and he helped the team.

Edinson Cavani is getting closer to a return (PA)

“Edi is coming also. We’ve got plenty of players that are ready to get in the team.”

Saints, meanwhile, head to Newcastle next Saturday following their midweek Carabao Cup trip to Newport.

They go into that away double-header buoyed by a positive performance against United, with striker Adams happy with the improvements from the season-opening 3-1 loss at Everton.

“When they got their goal we didn’t stand off them and we kept the pressure on high,” he said.

Che Adams’ strike deflected in against United (Andrew Matthews/PA)

“We had a couple of chances towards the end where we could’ve gone and won it but as I said it’s another positive and another point against a big team.

“That’s what we worked on from last week (the second-half performance). We gave up some easy goals and we all knew that.

“It was about staying on top and not switching off at times and I think we did that well today.”