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Paul Pogba criticised for wanting to be Andrea Pirlo at Manchester United
PAUL POGBA is trying too hard to be like his former Juventus team-mate Andrea Pirlo.
That is the verdict of Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness.
Paul Pogba was fantastic in United’s win over Tottenham on Sunday evening, producing a magnificent ball for Marcus Rashford’s winner.
But Souness found the time to dig at the 25-year-old in his post-match comments.
“I’m sorry, he’s playing in the left of a three,” he told Sky Sports.
“That gives you the license to go through the middle. He can get in the box.
“I think he sees himself - having spent time with Pirlo in Turin - as someone who wants to sit deep and play Hollywood balls.
“He’s certainly capable of that but he hasn’t got the sixth sense that a good defensive midfield player has.
“Standing still on occasion, filling areas on occasion and not being attracted to the ball on occasion.”
Pogba was largely a bystander during Mourinho’s rein this season at United.
The Frenchman was left out of the starting line0up numerous times, as his side faltered to an abundance of poor results.
But since the arrival of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he’s scored four goals in the six wins managed by the Norwegian.
Souness, though, believes Pogba needs to produce his great performances throughout the entirety of his games.
“Going back to the Bournemouth game, in the first half he was sensational,” the former Liverpool man added.
“He arrived late, tracked the first man and arrived late with a header. What did he do in the second half? He reverted to type, where he sat deep and tried to spray it.
“And five or six times the ball went out of play. He wanted to be that type of Pirlo player.
“And he has the potential to be one of the very best out here.”