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How Sir Alex Ferguson Toughened Up Paul Pogba When He Was Younger Is Brutal

How Sir Alex Ferguson Toughened Up Paul Pogba When He Was Younger Is Brutal

"I’d say, ‘Woah, aren’t you going to stop that?' They’d let it go because it was schooling him in what was to come..."

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare

Paul Pogba looks like a completely different player under caretaker manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The French midfielder, who struggled for large spells when Jose Mourinho was at the helm, has flourished in his new, more creative role at Old Trafford, creating 13 chances and scoring four since the Norwegian took charge.

Solskjaer has clearly been an influence in Pogba's resurgence, but former boss Sir Alex Ferguson may be another factor in his form of late.

We know that Solskjaer invited the former United boss to training sessions, and in the past, Ferguson looked to get the best out of Pogba in a brutal way.

While speaking about the midfielder's controversial tackle on Tottenham's Dele Alli, former captain Bryan Robson spoke about how Ferguson tried to toughen the player up in his first spell at Old Trafford.

"Paul has an edge about him but all top players need that to survive. I believe his temperament is excellent when you consider what he takes," Robson told The Daily Mail.

"You have to look after yourself in these games and be physical when it's required but not to hurt anyone on purpose. I don't believe that was Paul's intention.

"I've spoken before about how Sir Alex Ferguson and Mike Phelan used to get Paul Scholes to kick lumps out of Pogba in training years ago and I'd say, 'Woah, aren't you going to stop that?' They'd let it go because it was schooling him in what was to come.

Image: PA
Image: PA

"Erik Lamela took a few chunks out of Paul before that flashpoint with Alli. Tottenham knew what they were doing. Paul is making United tick, so he's naturally a target for the opposition."

So there we have it. Paul Scholes used to kick lumps out of Pogba in training, and both Ferguson and Phelan didn't intervene to try and toughen him up.

Thoughts on Pogba's recent form for United? Is he one of the best midfielders in world football right now?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Paul Scholes, Paul Pogba, Football News, Football, Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson, Premier League, tottenham

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

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