“Pogba is a big problem.”
Roy Keane is the latest Proper Football Man to take aim at Paul Pogba, following in the footsteps of fellow former midfield general Graeme Souness. Keane, like Souness, has called Pogba a “schoolboy” and cast doubt on his future at Old Trafford.
Pogba’s long-term future at United does seem to be in some doubt following Manchester United’s Champions League exit at the hands of Sevilla. The 25-year-old didn’t start either leg and came off the bench for the final half-hour on Tuesday night.
This is an image few expected to see when Pogba returned to United for a world-record fee in 2016 – the French midfielder emerging from the substitutes bench to replace Mauroanne Fellaini.
This sums up Pogba’s struggles at the club and his manager’s tactical outlook.
Pogba made little impact in the game and looked like a player completely devoid of confidence.
Paul Pogba, £89m rated midfielder #MUNSEV pic.twitter.com/NreVyC6eHS
— Graeme Scott (@G_Juve87) March 13, 2018
On ITV’s highlights show on Wednesday night, Keane said the French midfielder is “in trouble” if he can’t get into United’s starting team for such a big game, even if Pogba missed the victory over Liverpool a few days previously through injury. Keane said the player lacks awareness on the pitch, and, like the rest of his teammates, is playing as an individual.
“Pogba is a big problem and if he can’t get in the starting 11 then you’re in trouble,” the former United captain said.
“You expect big players to come on and change the game. He came on last night and did nothing. We saw with the first goal, his reaction to it was like a schoolboy. He doesn’t smell danger. The reason you’re part of a team is that when your team-mate makes a mistake, you cover for him and make up for it. No-one is helping each other and they’re not playing like the great United teams where you have to dig a result out even on an off night. They’re playing as individuals and don’t seem capable of being able to do that.”
You can watch Keane speak about Pogba here:
"You expect good players to affect the game. He came on last night and did nothing"
Roy Keane on Pogba pic.twitter.com/uaA6Sh32my
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) March 14, 2018
