Fans’ reaction to Pogba switch speaks volumes about poisonous Man Utd state

Paul Pogba’s return was supposed to herald the start of a new era at Manhcester United, but the midfielder has been unable to recreate his World Cup-winning form at club level

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

The video will auto-play soon8Cancel

Play now

Liverpool v Man Utd: Pictures

Cynics might suggest Paul Pogba just couldn’t stomach a long night at Anfield.

That 10 minutes was all he needed to realise that another 80 of them would do his chances of getting a lucrative move elsewhere this summer more harm than good. Pogba limped off injured in the 4-0 defeat to Liverpool, although it remains to be seen what the nature and extent of it is.

Let’s just say he didn’t exactly look crestfallen as he took sanctuary on the bench. But it speaks volumes for just how poisonous his situation at Manchester United has now become that travelling supporters booed him as he left the pitch.

When United re-signed Pogba from Juventus in 2016 it was supposed to hail the start of the club’s renaissance – and those same fans hailed him as some sort of saviour. He cost them a club-record £89million and had earned himself the reputation of being one of the greatest talents and most influential midfielders on the planet.

His mercurial skills had helped Juve win countless trophies and he was expected to be the talisman who helped United do the same. But his return to Manchester has been nothing short of shambolic – and the Frenchman now personifies just how broken and deluded this once great club has now become.

He’s been nothing more than an enigma who has failed to hold down a regular position in the team under three different managers. He’s been injured, indulged and even ignored at times, but most of all he’s been one of the greatest disappointments of recent times due to the fact he’s capable of brilliance, but incapable of producing it in the games United need him to.

HAVE YOUR SAY! Who should United sign to replace Pogba? Let us know in the comments section

When it comes to France, the narrative is different. Manager Didier Deschamps has a specific role for Pogba, while the midfielder is surrounded by world-class talents who bring the best out of him, unlike at United, where Pogba finds himself labouring alongside the likes of Nemanja Matic, Fred and Scott McTominay.

It is all relative, which might explain why Pogba has managed to win a World Cup, but also resembles someone who at club level couldn’t win a raffle if he was the only bloke with a ticket.

There has also been the backdrop of him agitating to leave, a scenario fuelled by his outspoken agent Mino Raiola. He will get his wish this summer, when his lucrative contract comes to an end – and there won’t be a single United supporter in the word sorry to see him go.