Greame Souness slams 'school boy' Paul Pogba

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Bengaluru, February 12: Manchester United star Paul Pogba is "a country mile from being a great player", according to former Liverpool star and pundit Graeme Souness.

The ex-Liverpool man and Sky Sports pundit believes the Frenchman "plays like a schoolboy running after the ball in the playground".

In an incredible rant, Souness said he would like to see Pogba playing in a wider position as he gets lost in the middle of the park.

Pogba has come under scrutiny of late due to his poor form in the middle of the park and Mourinho does not seem to be impressed with the Frenchman as well.

Writing for the Times, Souness claimed: "Paul Pogba is capable of great things, but a country mile from being a great player.

"That distinction is due to his inability to grasp the responsibility that comes with being a central midfielder.

"He is 24 now and an £89m signing, yet he still doesn’t understand what is required to play that position properly.

"Man United manager Jose Mourinho substituted him in the defeat away to Tottenham after their animated exchange on the touchline at Wembley, then left him out of his starting line-up for last weekend’s win over Huddersfield.

"So he’s clearly not happy with aspects of Pogba’s game.

"Maybe that will make the message finally sink in, but I doubt it. Pogba simply cannot be one of two in central midfield.

"You cannot rely on him. Against the lesser teams you’ll get away with it, but against the better teams you’re not going to.

"The best I have seen him play this season was in United’s win at Everton on New Year’s Day.

"He played on the left of a three in midfield and was drifting wide to be the tallest left-winger in the world, powering past people, dropping a shoulder, wrong-footing defenders and whipping in crosses.

"For Mourinho and United, it’s about finding the right position for him, but he isn’t a playmaker.

"If you’re looking for a central midfielder who recognises danger, fills spaces and doesn’t drift out of position, he’s not going to do that for you.

"When he’s asked to do a job centrally, he’s forever straying towards the touchline trying to get on the ball.

"A central midfielder should never be in areas wider than the penalty box, unless they are out there to confront danger defensively.

"When your side are in possession you should always be thinking: 'If it breaks down, I’m out of the game.'

"Pogba empties that central area far too readily. He will do something clever in the final third, but will be absent when his back four are under the cosh.

"He plays like a schoolboy running after the ball in the playground."