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29th Apr 2018

Graeme Souness called an Arsenal midfielder a “fool” during brutal half-time rant

"They need a couple of men in there to sort it out"

Robert Redmond

It looks like there’s a midfielder Graeme Souness dislikes even more than Paul Pogba.

Souness has been a constant critic of the Manchester United midfielder this season. Even when Pogba has played well, the former Liverpool captain has found some issue with his performance. The French midfielder opened the scoring for United on Sunday against Arsenal at Old Trafford, so that may in part explain why Souness was so angry at half-time.

Souness barely mentioned Pogba and instead took aim at Granit Xhaka during his analysis. He called the Arsenal midfielder a “fool” for his role in the goal, while Arsenal legend Thierry Henry shifted uncomfortably beside him.

Xhaka produced a lame attempt to stop Pogba, sliding across the pitch as the United midfielder casually sidestepped him.

Souness was furious with Xhaka. Most of the half-time analysis on Sky Sports was devoted to the former Newcastle United manager giving out about Arsenal and the Swiss midfielder. It made for great television and it may be the last time we see Souness almost combust with anger over Arsenal, as Arsene Wenger’s reign as manager is due to end next month.

“It’s kid-on football,” Souness said.

“He’s 25. Does he do that in training? Of course he does. Why hasn’t anyone told him? They need a couple of men in there to sort it out. I’d have done that once at Liverpool and I’d have been on the bench.”