Manchester United star Paul Pogba slammed by Scholes: “He’s just strolling through games”

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has called out Paul Pogba over a perceived lack of effort on the pitch.

Pogba re-signed for United in the summer of 2016 from Juventus for £89 million having originally been allowed to join the Italian club on a free transfer in 2012.

The Frenchman arguably cost his side all three points during their 0-0 draw with Southampton at Old Trafford on Saturday by converting Nemanja Matic's goal-bound effort from an offside position.

Pogba has underperformed at United so far, in comparison to his high transfer fee, according to Scholes, who is still waiting for Juventus' version of the midfielder to turn up.

"Where's the Paul Pogba we saw at Juventus?" he said during BT Sport's coverage of United's most recent game.

"The player they bought.

"He was all over the pitch [at Juventus]. He was tackling, fighting. He was sprinting to people; he was scoring goals from 25 yards out.

"[Now] he's just strolling through a game."

Scholes also turned his fire on manager Jose Mourinho for his performances on the touchline, as the Portuguese looks a shadow of the man who stormed to three Premier League titles with Chelsea.

"The players are definitely under-performing and maybe the manager is too," Scholes added.

"The underperforming is carrying on, carrying on, carrying on and the manager has to take responsibility for that.

"United look a tired team; they look like they have played 50 or 60 games this season already and we are halfway through.

"I know the crowd were quiet but you have to give them something. They gave them absolutely nothing, it was dead out there today.

"I swear to God, they need to liven up, this team, because top four isn't even guaranteed from this moment."

"Where's the Paul Pogba we saw at Juventus?"
Scholes' biggest complaint about Pogba at United is the way he puts himself about on the pitch, and the Frenchman has averaged fewer tackles per 90 minutes since rejoining the Red Devils than he did in his final season at Juventus.

However, Pogba has improved his game in other parts of the pitch, completing more of his passes on average in his first season at United and also averaging more key passes with 1.83 per 90.

The midfielder has also been more prolific in front of goal this season, averaging 0.31 per 90 – 0.10 of which have come from outside the area, more than his last season at Juventus.