Paul Pogba is a respected figure in the Manchester United locker room and it remains so notwithstanding his recent statement of admiration for Real Madrid. The Frenchman said it will be a dream-come-true to play with the La Liga giants and his words stirred up controversy among the supporters of the Red Devils.
Many United fans thought that Pogba speaking out on his wish to one day sign with Los Blancos was out of place. In a recent interview, the World Cup winner admitted that wearing the white shirt of Real still crosses his mind and he still looks forward to that dream to be realized.
"All footballers would like to play for Real Madrid. Maybe it is a dream. It is a dream for me. Why not one day?" the 27-year-old was reported as saying.
Now while Pogba being honest generated criticisms from the United community, Mirror said his teammates do not share the negative sentiments. For the Red Devils, the midfielder is still the best player on the roster and he is held in high esteem by his colleagues.
It appeared that while Pogba expressed love for the football club that he supported as a young boy, his United teammates are convinced that the star is committed to the team's cause.
Pogba said Real is a dream for him but he clarified that his focus is playing for United and giving his "maximum" for his teammates "to get the club back to where it deserves to be."
The French star, however, angered Steve Nicol, who insisted the United could have provided a safe answer when posed with a trick question. What was uttered showed about Pogba's character, and Nicol said it was clear that the player lacked maturity.
"It's really ... clear, this guy has absolutely zero leadership in him," Metro reported the Liverpool legend as saying.
Nicol pointed out that Pogba's excellence is in full display while playing for France and the same was seen during his time with Juventus. That should mean Pogba is at his best when in the company of great players.
But with United and he is required to lead the squad, the Frenchman seemed to falter, which should be the proof of the player's glaring weakness, said Nicol.
The United man has been constantly linked with a rumored move from Old Trafford to Santiago Bernabeu and observers believe that would have been the case if not for the COVID-19 pandemic. It is well known that Real manager Zinedine Zidane is an admirer of his compatriot.
Yet if Nicol were to be asked, he would advise against signing Pogba as the player will not be of much help to Real.
