'Pogba should be praised, not criticised AGAIN,' says Man Utd legend

Martin Macdonald

• Updated: 18 Aug 2021 12:15 BST
• 5 min read

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince has criticised Graeme Souness for failing to praise Paul Pogba - even after the World Cup winner recorded four assists in the one game.

The opening matches of the 2021/22 Premier League season took place over the weekend, with Man Utd facing Leeds Utd at Old Trafford.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men were superb as they ran out comprehensive 5-1 winners against their fierce rivals, with Bruno Fernandes scoring a hat-trick and Pogba setting up four of the goals.

The haul of assists for the Frenchman in that one fixture is more than he managed in the entirety of last season in the Premier League.

TRENDING

Which football managers have been sacked this season?

What is Man Utd’s biggest loss of all time?

Premier League managers: Full list of current bosses

Souness, though, thinks that is the least Man Utd fans should expect from such an expensive acquisition, while suggesting Jadon Sancho might not be needed at the club due to the presence of Mason Greenwood, who was also on the scoresheet versus Leeds.

"We expect that [four assists] from a £100million man," Souness told Sky Sports.

"I was going to get round to the point that they have spent £70million on Sancho.

"Maybe that might be something they look back on and think 'did we need to spend that money?'. Because that boy [Mason Greenwood], is a player, he's a finisher.

"I think he's going to be a top player."

Souness has constantly criticised Pogba in the past, whether it be over his performance levels or that his agent has touted him for a move away from Man Utd.

What has Ince said?

Ince, who played for Man Utd between 1989 and 1985, is at a loss to explain why Souness refuses to praise Pogba even after such a display.

"It’s a new season, a new start, it’s a new Manchester United," he said, when speaking to the Daily Star.

"He [Pogba] was outstanding. Just leave it at that.

"We don’t need Graeme Souness to start trying to slaughter Pogba when he’s been outstanding. I don’t get it.

"Pogba only thought about leaving because he didn’t see Man United competing with the top sides. That’s understandable, it’s like Harry Kane at Tottenham.

“Kane wants to leave because he wants to win trophies."

Pogba has been linked with a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain this summer as well as Real Madrid in the past, but speculation over a move to the Ligue 1 giants has declined after they signed Lionel Messi from Barcelona.

They are, however, still interested in signing Pogba on a free transfer when his Man Utd contract expires next summer.