MARCEL DESAILLY has slammed Paul Pogba as a bit of a ‘cheat’ who is ‘lazy’ and does not help out enough defensively.
The France and Chelsea legend was discussing the reasons behind Pogba being dropped as Manchester United were dumped out of the Champions League by Atletico Madrid.
Ralf Rangnick chose to go with Fred and Scott McTominay as his midfield duo, bringing on Pogba late on.
And Desailly believes that is because Pogba does not provide the same defensive work rate as Fred or McTominay.
The World Cup winner said on beIN Sport’s coverage of the match: “Quality-wise you cannot compare Pogba to Fred, or McTominay or Matic.
“But he’s lazy, he’s lazy. If you allow him to be a playmaker behind Ronaldo he will take advantage of it.
“When it goes well he is fantastic but if it doesn’t go well, offensively he has not brought what everyone was expecting.
“And at the same time he will cheat a little bit.
“He will not drop back and not drop back and help with the midfield with the defensive intensity the team is looking for.”
Fred showed why he started ahead of the Frenchman with some outrageous skill in the first half.
But neither he nor McTominay could inspire United to victory in an insipid defeat at home to Atletico.
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The Brazilian broke up Atletico attacks and the scoreline could have been worse for the Red Devils had they started Pogba.
The Frenchman may have played his last Champions League game for United with his personal trainer claiming he will leave at the end of the season.
His contract is up in the summer and Juventus have reportedly made contact with his agent Mino Raiola over a possible transfer.