Ben Guest
Former Manchester United midfielder Darren Fletcher has revealed that Sir Alex Ferguson didn’t trust Paul Pogba to play at the heart of his midfield, describing him as too ‘ill-disciplined’ to play the role.
Pogba came through the Manchester United academy but left in 2012 having grown frustrated at the lack of first-team opportunities at Old Trafford. He joined Juventus on a free transfer, winning four successive Scudetto’s, before returning to United in an £89 million world record deal in 2016.
However, former Red Devils midfielder Darren Fletcher has revealed that the reason for the Frenchman’s lack of opportunities under Fergie was because the legendary Scotsman, along with the United coaching staff, didn’t think Pogba had the discipline to play in a central midfield role, a criticism that is still being aimed at the United number 6 today.
“The first time I spent out with my illness I did a spell coaching the reserve team when it included (Paul) Pogba, (Jesse) Lingard, (Ravel) Morrison and we played him higher up the pitch in attacking areas,” Fletcher told Sky Sports Monday Night Football.
“We felt like he was the one who would win us game, coupled with the fact he was ill-disciplined in the middle of the park.”
Fletcher said that Pogba decided to leave the club after being left on the bench for a 3-2 defeat to Blackburn, despite Sir Alex selecting Park Ji-Sung and defender Phil Jones ahead of him in central midfield.
“Paul was on the bench and the boss picked Park Ji-Sung and Phil Jones in midfield,” Fletcher added.
“We didn’t think he was disciplined enough for the reserve team, never mind the first team at that time.”