Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Richard Keys takes aim at ‘virus’ Paul Pogba with damning criticism of Man Utd star’s behaviour

Paul Pogba reacting to a head injury

Broadcaster and journalist Richard Keys feels Manchester United will be better off without Paul Pogba when he leaves the club next month.

Pogba’s second stint at Old Trafford will end this summer after six years at the Theatre of Dreams. He departs as a free agent after failing to agree terms on a fresh deal with the north-west giants. While there have been glimpses of his undouted talent, the 29-year-old has failed to set the world alight in Manchester.

And he has now lifted the lid on his exit in an Amazon Prime documentary, termed ‘The Pogmentary’. Reaction to the programme has been swift.

Former United striker Louis Saha slammed the Frenchman, suggesting he will never be deemed a club legend. And Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville feels there is ‘no winner’ from the midfielder’s controversial departure.

It seems as though the France international is set to return to former club Juventus. And Keys took to Twitter to suggest he is not sorry to see the schemer depart.

“I doubt there’s anything in the Pogmentary that will persuade me that Pogba isn’t a virus & United are well rid of him,” he tweeted. “£300,000 per week – nothing? Didn’t feel loved? Please. Mourinho told me about his rows & there’s only one side to take.”

Pogba exit inevitable

There was much excitement when Pogba was unveiled as a Manchester United player back in 2016. The £89m paid to Juve was at the time the most expensive transfer fee received.

It has since been dwarfed by the numbers involved in moves for the likes of Neymar and Kylian Mbappe. But fans expected him to dominate games as he had while wearing the colours of France.

The man with 92 Les Bleus caps scored 39 goals from 226 appearances in all competitions in his second stint at the club. However, he left both fans and pundits frustrated with many insipid performances.

His relationship with ex-United chief Mourinho was mentioned by Keys. Now in charge of Roma, the Portuguese tactician was clearly not a big fan and made his feelings known.

And the pair may cross swords once again if Pogba does re-join the Old Lady. The ex-Chelsea and Tottenham boss’s stance might have softened towards his former charge.

Jose Mourinho sitting with Nemanja Matic at Man Utd

But it is unlikely that United fans will forget Pogba’s words if he does return to the club wearing opposition colours.

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