The World Cup winning midfielder's commitment to the cause at Old Trafford has been called into question following a poor run of results
Roy Keane has given a less than flattering opinion on Paul Pogba, with the former Manchester United man stating that he feels the midfielder no longer wants to represent the Old Trafford side and that his performances make that clear.
Many felt Pogba had been let loose by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer following his appointment, with fans and pundits of the consensus that Jose Mourinho's tactics had stifled the Frenchman's creativity and ability to drive United up the pitch.
That upturn in form for Pogba has ground to a halt in recent weeks, however, with an embarrassing 4-0 thumping at the hands of Everton at the weekend simply the headline result in a string or dire performances.
It is during those times that clubs will call on their big names to steady the ship, with Pogba recently telling Sky Sports that he will give everything for his club and his team-mates as they look to get back on course.
Keane, however, is far from sure of Pogba's sincerity.
“I wouldn't believe a word he says,” the former Red Devils skipper said ahead of the match. “There's no meaning behind it. I don't even think he believed what he was saying there.
“He talks about being a good team-mate - if you're going to be a good team-mate then you need to run back when you're defending.
“He said it got a bit heated after the game against Everton – I heard they were actually throwing their hair gel at each other!
“The guy's a talented boy but we're saying the same things over and over again. The number of times I've seen him in games where he's not sprinting back or running back...
“He's talking about body language – he was throwing his arms up in the air. He's a big problem.”
Keane was then asked if he feels that Pogba is a bad influence at the club as they struggle for results during a difficult time, and the Irishman was scathing in his assessment.
“You need good examples at your football club, you need senior players and this is a mature player. He's been in major competitions and won big trophies, but I don't think he leads by example.
“Obviously I don't know what he's like on the training ground or when they're travelling, but he mentioned body language and pride. I don't see it in his performances and my eyes don't lie to me.
“The really top players make their teams and their team-mates better and he doesn't do that. He plays for himself.”
donp7787
527
jose noted it but the media was quick to castigate him
fergietime
170
I have never seen a comment that I agree with so much!!!! Pogba really doesn't deserve that jersey! He doesn't love the club... he loves the hype. And that's what Fergus saw a decade ago and let him go! I would follow too if I was ole!
jbbarnett
121
All this legend why can't you criticise you own English players Lingard have two possible goal to score you can't discuss that in your pundit accusations only on other race... are you people jealous of Pogba achievement at his age or what... was he not in Manchester United academy at the same stage with Lingard, what has Lingard achieve what is his impact in the team... They score us today was Pogba fault or poor defensive abilities why can't you talk about the lack of Lingard and Rashford form.. Pogba is playing his game giving out crosses creating chances what is Lingard impact what about Ashley... you talking about maturity Young and Pogba who's more matured and must more be mature than the other... Please let Ole shuffle some English shoe off player's from the team and bring some other race if truly we want to move forward
Reyabdkp
65
The problem is the big money involved thats it. I have no problem in players making the money they deserve but logically when at such young age you secure your bank balance then theres nothing else left to fight for! Gone are the days of Maldinis, Vieiras, Keanes, Cantonas, Tottis etc where they fought their lives for their jerseys. Now you have cute boys like Lingards,Rashfords, Pogbas etc who play one average game in 10 matches and consider themselves as next Messi or Cristiano. First SAF and then JM there must be something really wrong with this player,right? Otherwise I am sure they dint have any personal enmity with him for sure it was for sporting reason. Problem is we know it when its too late!
Koyalmrsy
63
We all keep pointing fingers and blaming players but I see the whole thing from different perspective... Manchester United and English Premier League as a whole is beyond one man club, no club shouldered by only one player can be successful in England take Manchester City and Liverpool for example they both have different players to carry their team when one player is down. So many times this season the performance of SALAH has been below par but nobody is talking about it because there is Mane, Firmino, Van Dijk and other players to carry the team when SALAH is down likewise Manchester City there are so many matches that the performance of Aguero will be bad but there is certain Sterling to carry the team even most times Sterling is poor and there is Sane, David Silva, Bernardo Silva to carry the team. We put all the blame on POGBA the exact way we put all the blame on DI MARIA back then and sell him out of annoyance. This is my verdict! Pogba is not the problem of Manchester United, the simple fact is that he cannot carry the team all alone as no player in the English Premier League can carry their team all alone (The same thing affecting Chelsea and Hazard). Every player has their down time and will definitely need other players to step up at their down time but where is the player to step up? Where is the depth in Manchester United? Imagine Manchester United still have Di Maria, Depay with Pogba surely there will be some differences but we think the problem of Manchester United is what one player can solve, DEPAY cannot solve we sell him, DI MARIA cannot solve it we sell him and now POGBA cannot solve it and we all want him out... the simple truth is that if we sell POGBA and buy MESSI the problem will still remain. Manchester United only needs depth, leave POGBA and add more good players to the team... that's just the way out!!!
Rizbknpsuy
58
Why do confused people always want to say something negative about Paul. 16 goals and 13 assists so far this season, He remains your best player. There are countless MUFC players that have been very very terrible this season. Even across Europe, only a few have come close to His statistics this season. What's more? He's set to sign a new 5 year deal worth 500k per week, He's been confirmed as club captain for next season, he is a prime figure in the new MUFC and Ole Gunnar Solkjaer project. once rejected, now the cornerstone. What a great grass to Grace story his career has been. #Pogba all the way!