Former Liverpool manager Graeme Souness has claimed that Manchester United have "run out of patience" with Paul Pogba.
Pogba has largely struggled for consistency since returning to United from Juventus in 2016, and he was once again criticised for his part in Chelsea's opening goal at Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.
The midfielder failed to mark Blues defender Antonio Rudiger from a corner as Maurizio Sarri's side took the lead in London, although United fought back to secure a share of the spoils in the Premier League clash.
Souness has not been afraid to criticise Pogba in the past, and the former Scotland international has now insisted that the Frenchman 'cannot do the basics', and will not improve unless he changes his attitude.
"I think they've run out of patience with him, you cannot as a manager keep saying 'this is what you need to do'. As Joe Fagan would say - the great Joe Fagan would say - 'we'll tell you once we'll tell you twice and if you don't get it you won't be here very long' and it was as brutal as that," Souness told Sky Sports News.
"This boy has been blessed with the most wonderful athleticism, he's six foot four, I'm sure he can leap like a stag and run like the wind. You'd think this was tailor made for him. You don't have to be six foot four to prevent someone from getting a clear header at your goal. Someone my size could prevent Rudiger getting that header if you really wanted to.
"He's got fabulous technique, he's got fabulous athleticism, but for me he just doesn't do the basics right. But there is a player there. I'm seen as his biggest critic but his manager is not happy with him. I've been a manager and I'm saying to myself, like Jose will be saying to himself, 'what a player this boy could be if you would just listen and learn.'
"Even at 25 you never stop learning in this game. If this boy believes that he is the real deal at 25 then he won't get any better. He should be turning up every day listening to the manager, listening to the senior players and wanting to improve. I'm not sure if that is the case but I'll come back to it, this boy could be a top, top player."
Pogba, who played a key role in France winning the 2018 World Cup, has scored four times and registered three assists in 11 appearances for United this season.
Matt Law
