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Rio Ferdinand says that Paul Pogba did not want to be disrespectful by stating that he “does not know” who the lifelong critic Graeme Souness is … and reveals that he has advised the Manchester United star to stop speaking through his agent
- Rio Ferdinand says that Paul Pogba did not want to disrespect critic Graeme Souness
- The Manchester United star had declared that he “doesn’t know” who Souness is
- But Ferdinand believes Pogba was being honest about the Liverpool legend.
- Ferdinand also revealed that he has advised Pogba to stop speaking through his agent.
Rio Ferdinand believes that Manchester United star Paul Pogba was sincere in declaring that he “doesn’t know” who the staunch critic Graeme Souness is.
The midfielder addressed the former Liverpool captain’s withering remarks recently on an official club podcast, with a furious Souness telling Pogba to ‘put your medals on the table.’
But United legend and staunch supporter Ferdinand says he believes Pogba intended to disrespect Souness, and has also advised the World Cup winner of his controversial agent.
Rio Ferdinand says Paul Pogba is honest in declaring that he “doesn’t know” who Graeme Souness is
The Manchester United star had addressed Souness’s withering comments in a recent podcast.
The 27-year-old has not started for United since late September, but Souness has condemned his behavior both on and off the field.
The Scotsman, who won three European Cups and three league titles for Anfield’s team, led Pogba because of his willingness to seek a transfer, United’s record fee was extended to sign him in 2016 and his alleged lack of a fight.
Pogba, however, has not been rocked by Souness’ comments and made headlines after stating that he was unsure who the Sky Sports vocal expert was.
But Ferdinand has backed the divisive superstar, and even believes Pogba should have been pissed that the focus remained firmly on him despite his injuries.
Liverpool icon Souness has been a regular critic of Pogba since his return to Manchester United
He told The Beautiful Game Podcast: ‘For Paul Pogba to say he doesn’t know who [Souness] is or would not know him as a footballer, I think. He is not disrespectful, he does not know him.
“ As good a player as Souness was: he was a superior player, one of the best. If you were talking about the best British midfielders we’ve ever produced, he’s in the conversation, 100 percent, Graeme Souness was a good player. But Paul Pogba does not know him.
‘Simple as that, and that is the difference of generations. I don’t think it’s disrespectful.
‘If I were Paul Pogba, I would say the same thing, but I would have said it from a disrespectful point of view. Because I would say, “You’ve been bothering me all this time and I haven’t kicked a ball, why are you talking about me?”
And Ferdinand also admitted that he has given Pogba advice on future comments, given United’s tenuous relationship with super agent Mino Raiola.
The Italian-born agent has an extensive client list and launched a sensational speech on Twitter, addressed to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, in February.
Ferdinand has also advised Pogba to stop speaking through super-divisional agent Mino Raiola.
The United chief’s reiteration that Pogba was still “our player” seemed to have angered Raiola, who previously admitted that he regretted that his position had failed to move to Real Madrid.
Ferdinand added: ‘And I am honest about Paul and I love Paul because he is a great boy. I have known him since he was a child and I still chat with him now. But the only problem I have with Paul is that he should speak instead of speaking to his agent. If it did, there would be more clarity about the whole situation.
“I talked to him about all those kinds of things, but Paul is his own man and he’s going to deal with it in his own way, I respect him, he’s fine.” So that’s the only thing I would say.
Pogba’s campaign has been cut short largely due to an ankle injury, with the midfielder making just eight appearances.
Listen to Rio Ferdinand’s full interview with The Beautiful Game podcast HERE.
