Sir Alex Ferguson has launched a withering attack on Manchester United contract rebel Paul Pogba and accused him of lacking respect.
The midfielder, 19, dismayed Ferguson last season by turning down a new deal and is destined to join Juventus, who are willing to pay him £20,000 per week.
Controversy has followed Pogba, who last night scored for France Under 19s in a 3-0 victory over their Serbian counterparts at the European Championship in Estonia, during his time at United.
His signing in 2009 prompted his former club Le Havre to claim he had been tapped up and now Ferguson has washed his hands of him.
‘Pogba signed for Juventus a long time ago as far as we’re aware,’ Ferguson told in-house TV station MUTV. ‘It’s a bit disappointing because I don’t think he showed us any respect at all. To be honest, if they carry on that way, I’m quite happy that he’s away from me anyway.’
Ferguson also has contractual worries about another promising teenager. Defender Ezekiel Fryers, 19, is out of contract and wanted by Tottenham and Newcastle but Ferguson is hoping to include him on the pre-season tour to South Africa and the Far East. ‘I don’t know what’s happening there,’ Ferguson added. ‘He hasn’t been in touch with the club.’
One man who won’t be going on the tour is Darren Fletcher. The Scotland midfielder is battling to save his career after contracting a serious bowel condition and Ferguson will not put a time scale on his return.
‘Darren is a terrific lad and we all hope that he can come back soon,’ said Ferguson, who handed Antonio Valencia United’s iconic No 7 shirt yesterday. ‘He is trying very hard to get back to his level. It’s not going to be easy but we’ll give him every chance and see how he does.’ – Daily Mail