Paul Scholes has joked that he was partly responsible for Paul Pogba leaving Manchester United for Juventus in 2012.
Pogba was regarded as one of United’s brightest academy prospects but became frustrated by his limited first-team opportunities under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Scholes now believes his own surprise return from retirement may have played a significant role in convincing the Frenchman his future was elsewhere.
Scholes explains Pogba exit
Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football, Scholes recalled returning to United midway through the 2011/12 season after initially retiring the previous summer.
At the time, United were struggling badly for midfield options, with Rafael da Silva and Phil Jones even being used centrally.
Pogba believed that situation could provide his breakthrough. Instead, Ferguson convinced Scholes to return.
“I was half the reason he left the first time,” Scholes said.
“I retired when I was 36 and then I came back, and Paul was just coming through.
“He thought he should have been playing.
“I came back and started playing every week and then his agent turned down deals and stuff and that’s why he left I think. So I’m partly responsible!”
Pogba subsequently joined Juventus on a free transfer before Manchester United spent a then-world-record £89million to bring him back four years later.
Scholes wants major Manchester United changes
Scholes also discussed United’s current problems and believes Michael Carrick requires major defensive reinforcements.
“We’ve had that backline for five years,” he said.
“We’ve not been good enough for five years, so it’s not going to be any better now.
“Definitely, a new back four is needed. Maybe a goalkeeper.”
United have collected only five points during a difficult opening to the Premier League campaign and sit 12th heading into their return from the international break.
Key Points
- Paul Scholes says he was “half the reason” Paul Pogba left Manchester United in 2012.
- Pogba expected more opportunities amid United’s midfield shortage before Scholes came out of retirement.
- The Frenchman instead joined Juventus before returning to United for £89million in 2016.
- Scholes believes United now need an entirely new back four and potentially another goalkeeper.
- Michael Carrick’s side have taken just five points from their opening league fixtures.
What’s Next?
Manchester United return to Premier League action against bottom-placed Tottenham at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The immediate focus will be on improving a poor start to the campaign, but Scholes’ comments highlight the scale of the longer-term rebuild he believes Carrick still faces.
For Pogba, meanwhile, the next step remains uncertain after his departure from Monaco left the 33-year-old searching for another club.
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