Paul Scholes says Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is "away with the fairies at times" during games and will still be "exactly the same" when he turns 35.
The former United midfielder was speaking about the Frenchman following the club's 2-2 draw against Atalanta in the Champions League on Tuesday night, where two goals from Cristiano Ronaldo saved his side from a disastrous result in Group F.
It was a shaky performance from the Reds, especially during the second half as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reverted to a back four after Raphael Varane was taken off because of a hamstring injury. That being said, Ronaldo grabbed them a point in dramatic fashion.
In that second period against Atalanta, Solskjaer made a strong statement when he brought off a struggling Paul Pogba instead of fellow midfielder Scott McTominay, who was on his final warning after receiving a yellow card.
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It has been a tough couple of weeks for the France international and after the full-time whistle, Paul Scholes didn't hold back in his assessment of the 28-year-old's performance at the Stadio di Bergamo.
"[Pogba] needs somebody on him all the time... somebody there that he totally respects, he needs experienced people behind him," he told BT Sport.
"How old he? 28? He's a really experienced player. But he's one of them that will get to 35 and be exactly the same.
"He'll still be doing the stupid stuff where he's stud rolling the ball, holding people off showing how strong and skilful he is.
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"The biggest thing with Paul is his concentration. He goes away with the fairies at times.
"You think of the Juventus team he played in, where he was brilliant and was why we signed him.
"The experience around him - [Andrea] Pirlo, [Giorgi] Chiellini, [Leonardo] Bonucci, [Gianluigi] Buffon, an aggressive manager...
"He will need that treatment until he's 35."
BT pundit Rio Ferdinand then responded to Scholes' comments by saying the experienced Cristiano Ronaldo could be someone to pull up Pogba on his actions.
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"I can't think of anyone else other than Cristiano that would get a hold of Paul and going 'I'll be on to you half time.'
"Maybe it's a generational thing, maybe it's different now. In our changing room, these conversations would be going on."
This isn't the first time Scholes has ripped into Pogba in recent weeks. After he was sent off for a high tackle on Naby Keita in their embarrassing 5-0 defeat to Liverpool, the former United midfielder was furious.
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"Paul Pogba coming on to the pitch at half-time to try and help the team and maybe get a little respectability about it, tries to stand on the ball, tries to show how strong he is in the middle of the pitch... gives the goal away.
"Then later on gets sent off with a ridiculous tackle. Now you're 5-0 down with 10 men.
"You'd have to think, if Ole's still a manager there, will we see Pogba again in a United shirt?"
Scholes continued: "He's caused mayhem over the last couple of years.
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"Everyone knows what a talent he is, everybody trusts him, every manager trusts him, tried to give him his head and let him be the player he's been.
"But with all the commotion, not signing his contract, almost holding the club to ransom. Then he comes on and does something like that.
"It's not Ole's fault, don't get me wrong. But that's part of it which almost summed the United performance up today," Scholes admitted before drawing back on his previous question.
"Look, he probably will play [again] won't he? But I don't think they will be missing anything if he doesn't.
"He's had numerous chances, he keeps saying he lacks consistency, but that is just [a lack of] discipline and disrespect for your manager and your team-mates, what he's done today."
Thoughts on Pogba's performances of late?
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Featured Image Credit: BT SportTopics: Paul Scholes, Paul Pogba, Atalanta, Champions League
