John Barnes has told Paul Pogba to match the attitude he displays for France when turning out for Manchester United.
Pogba was instrumental as Les Bleus lifted another international title last weekend, beating Spain 2-1 in the UEFA Nations League final.
That adds to the World Cup Pogba won in 2018, as well as his role in France’s run to the Euros final two years previous.
But he has often been criticised for failing to replicate the kind of performances he puts in on the international stage, when it comes to club football.
Pogba was signed for £89million back in 2016, but has won just two pieces of silverware with the club, both of which came in his first season back at Old Trafford.
The 28-year-old has started the Premier League season in fine form, registering seven assists in as many games, but Barnes has taken aim at what he perceives as a different type of attitude when playing domestic football.
“Winning the World Cup in 2018 didn’t help Paul Pogba to win any trophies for Manchester United,” Barnes told BonusCodeBets.
“Playing for France and Manchester United are two different things. He plays much better for France than Manchester United, and that has a lot to do with how he feels about playing for France, in terms of being a team player.
“Whereas, for Manchester United, with his price tag, and being who he is, and the way we treat our superstar players in England. He probably feels he is a superstar, so therefore plays differently, rather than being the team player he is for the national side.
“Winning a trophy with France won’t necessarily help him at Manchester United, until he decides to have the same attitude playing his club football, as he does for France.”
Speculation continues to swirl regarding the future of Pogba, who is set to become a free agent at the end of the current season.
Reports have claimed that the academy graduate is keen to extend his stay in Manchester, but the longer the negotiations go on, the more fraught his position appears.
From January 1, Pogba will be able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with clubs from abroad, with Juventus, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain all linked.
Controversial agent Mino Raiola recently put his client back in the headlines, claiming Juve remain in his heart, thanks to the four seasons he spent with the Italians.
“Pogba’s contract expires next year. We will talk to Manchester (United) and see,” Raiola said last month.
“For sure Turin has remained in his heart and he cares a lot about these things. The possibility of returning to Juventus is there but it also depends on Juve.”
