Saturday’s clash against Tottenham was a crucial fixture for United in their race to finish in the top 4 spots. With Arsenal churning out consistent results and also having games in hand on United, there really was no margin for error for Rangnick’s men.
But the Red Devils were in luck as their star man Cristiano Ronaldo had picked this very game to end a rather unpleasant goal drought by netting a hattrick to singlehandedly clinch the vital 3 points at Old Trafford.
The game simply called for Ronaldo to step up as United were already without their one influential Portuguese international in Bruno Fernandes, who was left out of the squad due to illness.
However, this did make way for another of United’s midfield stars as Paul Pogba got to start in his preferred position as the main creative outlet for the side from Manchester.
It was not a vintage Pogba performance per se with United’s counter-attacking play utilizing more of their CDM Fred due to his pace in transitions which fed Sancho and Ronaldo with key chances in the game.
But the Frenchman was key with long passes and in occupying pockets of spaces in the attacking third of the Spurs half that pulled much attention on him from the likes of Hojbjerg and Dier.
However, more than this Spurs duo, Pogba managed to turn many heads with his latest haircut as the midfielder had gone ahead and received another new trim.
Over the years, the Frenchman sported a variety of flamboyant hairstyles but against Spurs at Old Trafford, he chose to go with a clean bald cut.
Such a drastic haircut from a personality like Pogba wasn’t going to be ignored online. Here are some of the best tweets –
Man Utd are so stressful Pogba went bald, bless him.
— . (@Nigerianscamsss) March 12, 2022
Pogba went bald to tell everyone, that he wants Ten Hag as the next United manager pic.twitter.com/X8ma8bQ8IO
— Emily🇺🇸 (@CrewsmatMorocco) March 12, 2022
Souness getting ready to rip into Pogba's new hairstyle before seeing that he's bald pic.twitter.com/9Pov6uZpd3
— ODDSbible (@ODDSbible) March 12, 2022
Pogba being bald is disconcerting. I can’t focus on the actions of this match.
— Zito (@_Zeets) March 12, 2022
Pogba's uncle bald head is so aesthetically pleasing. Lukaku's dome glistens too much. Always sweating. Pogba's shine is just the right amount
— junho (@Pat_Junho) March 12, 2022
I think Bald Pogba has done it for River❤️ pic.twitter.com/7o81l8IDF6
— OWICH (@OwichBrio) March 12, 2022
In the past, when available to feature during a big game for United, Pogba has always added a fresh trim as part of his preparations for the game.
The most notable example would be the Manchester Derby at the Etihad Stadium during the 2017/18 Premier League season, where Pogba dyed his hair blue to match the colours of the host venue.
Having gone 2-0 down to City, Pogba inspired a second-half comeback with a brace and United went on to win the game.
Although City went on to win the title that season, winning against the league leaders in their own backyard looks all the more a big deal in retrospect as United are struggling to do that in the present scenario.
It remains to be seen if we will be able to see more such trims that are backed up by masterclasses from Pogba in a United shirt as the Frenchman’s contract is running down at the end of the season.
If the bald look sported against Spurs was indeed his last one for United, it surely would be an iconic one for Pogba who would be finishing his time at his boyhood club.