One of the reasons that we went into partnership with Manchester United two and a half years ago, was because they have a mentality that is geared up towards success – something they have achieved over the years in huge amounts and something for which they constantly strive.

This extract is taken from Manchester United star, Paul Pogba’s speech to his France team mates before the World Cup Final.

“Boys I don’t want to talk too much. We all know where we are , we all know what we want. We know how far we have come, we know it in our hearts, in the way we look at things. I can see it, guys. We are concentrating on what we have to do.

I don’t know how many matches we have all played in our careers, but this is one match that could change everything. This would change all of history.

I want us to go onto the pitch as warriors, as leaders!”

It is one of several speeches that the Manchester United player gave to his France team. The world has long known of Paul Pogba’s talent. We have seen, on our Gulf Fan Academy videos, that he also has a great sense of humour and he is understandably incredibly popular with our Gulf staff and customers alike. But, this summer, he grew in every respect and he emerged as a leader, who inspired his team to a famous victory.

At the outset of the tournament, he showed this growing maturity, declaring. “I want to win this World Cup, and to do that you have to make sacrifices. Defending isn’t my strong point, but I’ll happily do it.”

There is much we can take from what he says and from his attitude. His France team were good, but arguably not the stand out team of the tournament. What they did, ultimately to take them to the World Crown, was to use what they had at their disposal extremely effectively.

If you combine this ability with a winning mentality, it is possible to achieve much more than you could possibly realise.

This week Manchester United kicks off the new Premier League season, searching to go one better than the second place the club achieved last season. In that quest we wish them every success.

It is also the holiday season. Whether you are about to go on holiday, or are back at work, I think it is worth reflecting on Paul Pogba’s words and his team’s attitude, and taking something of that into the way we all do business in the months to come.

From a tropical London,

Frank

For and on behalf of Gulf Oil International UK Ltd