A player who played a crucial role in Leeds’ run to the Championship play-off final in the 2023/24 season played a role in spoiling Paul Pogba’s long-awaited return to football.
Paul Pogba returned to top-flight football with Monaco this weekend, with the former Premier League star appearing as a late substitute in Ligue 1.
The France World Cup-winner was the tormentor in chief when Marcelo Bielsa and his Leeds side suffered a chastening 5-1 defeat at Old Trafford, as he registered four assists from a deep-lying midfield role.
Pogba last played a competitive match on 3rd September 2023, as Daniel Farke was just beginning his spell in charge of Leeds, before he was banned after testing positive for taking a banned substance.
Now, Glen Kamara, one of Farke’s first signings at Leeds, has played a role in spoiling his big day out, as his Rennes side put Monaco to the sword.
Which former Leeds player would you have back, if you could pick one? Raphinha surely has to be up there💎
Former Leeds United man Glen Kamara helps spoil Paul Pogba’s return
Pogba was introduced as a late substitute for Monaco, as he made his long-awaited return to the playing field in Ligue 1.
However, his Monaco side were already 4-0 down at this point, as Rennes showed no sympathy in a ruthless display at Roazhon Park.
Kamara has found his opportunities limited in the Red and Black of Rennes, but he was handed his second appearance of the season in the game, coming on at the same time as Pogba to help Rennes close out a victory.
However, he was unable to prevent Monaco from scoring a late consolation goal, as the game ended 4-1 to move Kamara’s Rennes up to fifth in the table.
Paul Pogba welcome contrasts with Glen Kamara’s struggles
While both players played the same amount of minutes in a one-sided game, the reception to their respective cameos paints a picture of contrasts.
Pogba was cheered to the rafters, receiving a standing ovation from the Rennes crowd, despite playing for Monaco in a touching scene.
“The crowd’s welcome really touched me,” Pogba told L’Equipe at full-time, “Seeing them stand up and applaud like that, I never imagined it. Thank you to all the fans who supported me.”
Kamara, on the other hand, was overlooked, as he has been at Rennes for most of the season. His five-minute cameo took his season’s tally to just 24 minutes, with his only other Ligue 1 appearance coming in an away draw against Charlie Cresswell’s Toulouse.
The Finnish international’s career has drifted following his departure from Elland Road. Seeing an opponent cheered to the rafters while he was ignored must have hurt his pride.
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