Scott McTominay gives an honest opinion on Man Utd’s “misunderstood” teammate Paul Pogba

Scott McTominay believes Paul Pogba’s troubles at Manchester United have been disproportionate, labeling the midfielder “first class”.

Pogba has undergone a below average start to the season, with recent performances having seen him face criticism from pundits and supporters alike.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a rich range of options in midfield which means Pogba’s opportunities have been curtailed.

During his international service with France, he explained in detail how difficult it was to get in and out of the team.

He said: “This is a period that I haven’t experienced previously in my career, as I’ve been used to playing all the time and getting into my rhythm, so it suddenly changed.

McTominay is one of the players battling Pogba for a starting spot, but the Scottish international praised his teammate, claiming he is “misunderstood” by those outside Old Trafford.

“I remember watching Pogba at Juventus when I was in the reserves at United,” he told Pro Direct Soccer.

“I was like ‘this guy is ridiculous’.

“People don’t know him. People don’t. They don’t know him for what he is. He’s very misunderstood, in my opinion, for what he is like, for his personality and for what he brings to the team.

“Obviously he can have a bad game, everyone can have a bad game, but since he’s Paul Pogba he’s zoomed to a different level.

“When he plays well, he’s up there with the best. First class.”

With Pogba, McTominay, Nemanja Matic, Donny van de Beek, Fred and Bruno Fernandes, Solskjaer may be forced to be creative to find a role for the former Juventus star.

And Peter Crouch has hinted that playing him later could bring his season to life, following in the footsteps of Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard.

“I feel like Pogba could influence matches like Steven Gerrard did when I was playing him for Liverpool and England – he’s so good,” Crouch told the Daily mail.

“He has that star quality in him, you see it when he plays for France.

Does Paul Pogba have a future with Manchester United? Have your say here.

“I was on the pitch with Pogba and I always thought there were two or three spare gears that he could easily put in.

“The only thing that has always confused me about him is desire. Do you want to do it?

“If a game went wrong, Stevie took it upon himself to beat a couple of men and score a goal – grabbing things by the scruff of the neck.

“Pogba has the ability to do that. I’d love to see him make it.”

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