‘Going backward’: Graeme Souness identifies ‘worst thing’ that happened to former Man Utd star in bizarre
Liverpool legend Graeme Souness has claimed that former Manchester United star Paul Pogba had the capability to be the “best midfielder in the world.”
Pogba’s first spell at Old Trafford came to an end in 2012 after he failed to agree to a new deal with United, with Sir Alex Ferguson furious with the decision.
However, the 30-year-old Frenchman went on to make a name for himself at Juventus and enjoyed a prolific first spell with the Old Lady.
Pogba made his hotly anticipated return in 2016 after United splashed out a then-world-record transfer fee of £89m to sign him from the Serie A side.
The former United midfielder would show moments of brilliance in a Red Devils T-shirt, but Pogba was often criticised over his lack of consistency at the club.
Pogba also endured a fallout with former United manager Jose Mourinho, despite being a key first-team player for the Red Devils.
Souness was famously one of Pogba’s harshest critics and would often pull no punches towards the France international.
The former Liverpool star referred to Pogba as a “lazy t**t” in 2023 and Souness even called him out for his “schoolboy running” in 2018.
Despite his fierce criticism of Pogba, Souness insisted that the Frenchman had what it took to be one of the best midfielders in the world.
However, the ex-Sky Sports pundit claimed that a turning point for the worse came when former United man Pogba lifted the World Cup with France.
“He had the equipment to be the best midfielder in the world,” he told talkSPORT.
“I saw a young man that was going through emotions a lot of the time, and that frustrated me.
“With that physique and that technical ability, he just did not have the right attitude to make him a superstar.
“The worst thing that happened to him was winning a World Cup because he could turn and say: ‘I am a World Cup winner.’
“I think at that point, it was him going backwards.”
Pogba was a key part of the France team that won the 2018 World Cup in Russia, with the Juventus player scoring in the 4-2 final win over Croatia.
Despite his success at the World Cup, the France midfielder was unable to produce the same level of success at Old Trafford in the aftermath of the tournament.
Pogba, who missed the 2022 World Cup in Qatar due to injury, left Old Trafford on a free transfer in 2022 and completed his sensational return to Juventus.
However, the World Cup winner’s second spell at Juventus has been plagued with injuries and Pogba was also provisionally suspended in 2023 over a failed drugs test.
