Friday 15 May 2015 08:31, UK
Sir Alex Ferguson should not be criticised for letting Paul Pogba leave Manchester United, says Jamie Carragher.
Pogba failed to make the grade under Ferguson as a trainee, making just seven substitute appearances in a two-year stay before joining Juventus as a 19-year-old in 2012.
Three years later, the midfielder enjoyed one of the highlights of his burgeoning career as he helped Juventus secure a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu to beat Real Madrid 3-2 on aggregate and reach the Champions League final.
However, Sky Sports pundit Carragher said although Pogba would be a superb asset for United right now, Ferguson's decision cannot be questioned as he had to stick by his philosophy over young players at the club.
"I'm certain they look back at it now and I'm sure Louis Van Gaal would love to have Paul Pogba in his squad for next season, as Man City would, Chelsea would," he said.
"All the top teams in world football would, especially in our league because he looks supremely suited to our league.
"It's difficult to question Sir Alex Ferguson in terms of bringing young players through - he was one of the masters at it.
"If he felt it was a wages problem for a young player maybe getting too big for his boots and basically wanting first-team money when he's still a reserve-team player... that's the jist of it I think.
"But the amount of money you would have to pay now, people will say, you might as well have given him it, but those types of decisions run right through your club and affect other young players.
"So it was maybe just one of those situations that Sir Alex Ferguson gets right so many times, but this one they may look back at it with slight regret. But you have to have rules and philosophies at your club with young players."
It’s difficult to question Sir Alex Ferguson in terms of bringing young players through – he was one of the masters at it.
Thierry Henry, however, feels the midfielder was not given enough opportunities under Ferguson and thinks the decision to leave was right for him and now believes Pogba is the one calling the shots over any potential move.
"At one point, Sir Alex was playing anyone but him in his position, even guys that were not holding midfielders or offensive midfielders, even Paul Scholes came out of retirement," he said.
"So at one point you can't blame the kid, he was just like 'I don't have a future here', so he left and we saw what he did. But he's a special talent. He can do anything.
"It's pretty rare when a player has a choice to go wherever he wants. He might stay, you never know."
Graeme Souness believes Juventus will be confident of keeping the player but would not be surprised to see him return to Old Trafford.
"Juventus see themselves as one of the big clubs in world football, so they won’t think that one of the so-called bigger clubs can come along and take him easily," he said.
"Would it prevent him going back to Manchester United? No. Different manager, different set-up, different philosophy.
"I think part of his problem was that he wasn’t getting the chances he felt he should have been at that time.
"He’s suited to the English game, he’s suited to any game. He’s big, strong, athletic, great technique and looks to have a fabulous attitude."
