MANCHESTER UNITED need to axe “diabolical” Paul Pogba this summer because he regrets returning to Old Trafford, believes Paul Ince.
Pogba, 27, has struggled to find his top form consistently in a Red Devils shirt since his £89million record transfer from Juventus in 2016.
This season he has been blighted by injuries, limiting him to just eight appearances so far but when football does return he should be raring to go after recovering from ankle surgery.
But even if he is fully fit, former United man Ince reckons it is time to get rid of Pogba when the transfer market reopens.
The former England midfielder, 52, told Paddy Power he is “bored” of the situation and he just wants it done with, preferably with Pogba sold.
He said: “What’s disappointing is the way he’s acted, his behaviour and performances reflect that he’s been unsure about his decision. You compare that to Bruno Fernandes, and his arrival at United, and it’s crazy.
“He’s come in and hit the ground running fairly instantly, winning over the fans in the process. Pogba never did that, and his performances have been inconsistent to say the least.
“Sometimes they’ve been on the border of diabolical, and occasionally they’ve been brilliant. When you cost that kind of money as a player, fans expect you to be consistently great, especially when you’re playing for Manchester United.
“Their expectations are very high. The on-the-pitch performances, plus his behaviour off the pitch, with his agent and generally acting up, isn’t good for the club.
“If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to take the club forward, to build and to instil the ‘United Way’ back into the team, then Pogba’s actions don’t reflect that.
“The way he’s been acting and behaving recently, he just isn’t good for the club.
“If you want the right attitude and mentality, and high standards, then sorry, but that doesn’t fit in with Paul Pogba.
“There’s been too many distractions, too many reports around him and his behaviour, so his time for me is up.
“Perhaps if Fernandes hadn’t come in and done as well as he has done, maybe Ole might try and keep Pogba. But now, he might be thinking if I can get the right money for Pogba, then I can let him go.
“It’s a shame, because he could’ve been a great player for the club, but he isn’t a great player at the moment.
“Ultimately, he’s a distraction and his behaviour impacts and damages the rest of the team.
“Now, if he was performing out of his skin every week and changing games, you could forgive him for his behaviour even when he’s being a nightmare, but he isn’t, so why bother? If he’s not performing, just let him go, get rid.
“The decision needs to be made, and quickly, because we can’t have another season of the Pogba circus. He wouldn’t even get in the side at the moment.”
Pogba has scored 24 goals and registered 25 assists in the Premier League since his comeback in 2016.
And even though those figures are far from groundbreaking, Pogba is still the subject of plenty of transfer interest with just one year left on his current contract.
Real Madrid boss and compatriot Zinedine Zidane wants to sign the French World Cup winner and may be able to get the best out of him.
A return to Juventus also remains on the cards, as does a move back to France with hometown club Paris Saint-Germain.
Inter Milan joined the race as well with Antonio Conte keen to add yet another Premier League player to his squad at the San Siro.
United are hopeful of holding out for well in excess of £100m for the midfielder who is represented by Mino Raiola, who has had his fair share of run-ins with United in recent times.
But Ince has been unimpressed with the Frenchman’s inconsistency since his return, insisting Pogba is not settled and rues making the switch back.
Ince added: “On his day and on his game, he’s world class. We know he can be a game changer for the team but those moments were becoming fewer and further between. Let’s be honest, from day one he never truly settled back at United.
“He probably expected a romantic return, but ultimately problems started from the outset. To me, it says that he’s known in the back of his head all of this time that he knows he’s made the wrong decision. He sensed that going back to Old Trafford was simply a bad idea. He got caught up in the romance.
“If he was being honest, when he got there I think he’s gone to himself, ‘Hmm. This wasn’t what I’d built it up to be. Was this the right idea?’ Those feelings are still there now, he regrets his decision, and that’s clear.”
