Saha Incensed By Pogba

By Max Wise

Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha has been left enraged by Paul Pogba’s public proclamation that he wants to leave the Red Devils.

Pogba came under intense criticism after a mixed season at Manchester United that began with a fractured relationship with former manager Jose Mourinho before the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as interim manager saw an improvement in his performances.

The 26-year-old’s output tailed off again towards the end of the season as Manchester United finished the Premier League in sixth place, missing out on a Champions League position next season.

Despite his up-and-down season, Pogba finished the 2018/2019 campaign as Manchester United’s top scorer with 13 league goals and nine assists; good enough to earn him a place in the PFA Team of the year.

Pogba has not hidden his desire to leave Old Trafford for the second time as the world cup winner continues to be linked with a return to Juventus or join Real Madrid in Spain, and he fueled those exit rumors by recently stating that he wanted a new challenge.

"I am a bit annoyed by [what Pogba said], but what can you do?," Saha told The New Paper while in Malaysia for a charity match.

"I struggle to understand why players express themselves (in this way). As much as they want to move, I understand that, but I don't think it is something that should be done. I am especially gutted because he is a massive player for the club.

"I hope that he can still remain [with United], but it is difficult to see that because when you express something like this, it becomes a difficult situation to manage. It is not going to be easy for Ole."

Saha enjoyed a four-year spell at Manchester United between 2004 and 2008, as his 28 league goals in 86 appearances helped the Red Devils to two Premier League titles.