“Where’s the Paul Pogba we saw at Juventus?”
Paul Scholes, like all Manchester United fans, cut a frustrated figure at full-time of the goalless draw with Southampton at Old Trafford on Saturday. The Saints had failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 11 games, but could have recorded a win if it were not for a second-half David de Gea save from Shane Long’s shot.
Meanwhile, United created little of note, and are now without a win in four games after drawing with Leicester City, Burnley and Southampton over the last week. Ahead of Manchester City’s trip to Crystal Palace on Sunday, United are 14 points behind their rivals, and have slipped to third in the Premier League table, a point behind Chelsea. The title race is over, and the claims by many pundits just a month ago that it was a two-horse race between City and United now seems strange.
Following the match, Jose Mourinho appeared to blame the referee Craig Pawson for the draw, after he failed to award his team a penalty for an apparent hand-ball in the first-half.
Getting desperate now https://t.co/kmfl9RvYD0 #MUFC
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) December 30, 2017
In the BT Sport studio, Scholes seemed bewildered by what he had just witnessed, and struggled to pinpoint exactly what has made United’s form dip over the last month.
He did, however, speak about the performance of Paul Pogba. The United midfielder has been in good form this season, and the team don’t look as dangerous without him. But his most telling contribution on Saturday was to score a goal which was ruled out for offside, when he poked home Nemanja Matic’s shot that looked to be rolling into the net.
Scholes said that he expects more from the French midfielder, and questioned why he doesn’t look to be the same player that impressed for Juventus.
“Where’s the Paul Pogba we saw at Juventus?” Scholes asked.
“He was all over the pitch, he was tackling, he was fighting, he was sprinting to people, he was scoring goals from 25 yards out. (Now) He’s just strolling through the game.”
He was then cut off by Martin Keown, but you can watch him here:
"Where's the Paul Pogba we saw at Juventus? The player they bought…" 👀
Paul Scholes calls out Man Utd's players following Man Utd 0-0 Southampton 🎙 pic.twitter.com/fzqrOm05VJ
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 30, 2017
Scholes earlier warned that a place in the top four of the Premier League isn’t guaranteed for his old team.
"Top 4 isn't guaranteed."
Paul Scholes criticises Man Utd's performance and recent form. #MUNSOU pic.twitter.com/5yBCKFcadx— eir Sport (@eirSport) December 30, 2017
