Paul Pogba was kept out of Manchester United team by Phil Jones and Fabio in midfield as Sir Alex Ferguson preferred them to French youngster – according to Paul Scholes
Ex-England star says an injury crisis forced Sir Alex Ferguson to play makeshift midfield, with a young Pogba snubbed
MANCHESTER UNITED legend Paul Scholes has revealed the real reason Paul Pogba left the club in 2012 - because Phil Jones and Fabio were keeping him out of the team.
The ex-England midfielder, now 43, says an injury crisis forced Sir Alex Ferguson to play a makeshift midfield in a game against Blackburn.
At the time, Pogba was a youngster plying his trade in the reserves, while Scholes was helping Warren Joyce train them.
And Scholes - at the time mulling over his own comeback - claimed Pogba appeared to be finished at United, at least in his head, at the snub.
Speaking about his return to the United fold, Scholes said: "He [Ferguson] originally wanted me to come back to coach the reserve team with Warren Joyce.
"I said, in September I'll come back... so I had three or four months with the family, had some nice holidays.
"I started helping Joycey and started training with him - training with the likes of Pogba, [Jesse] Lingard... they were a really good side.
"I just thought, I'm loving training, I was getting fit and felt great. It got to December-time, the team was struggling, had a load of injuries.
PORT-OH NO Why Liverpool thumping Porto is bad news for Manchester United
"They had no central midfield players, really. They ended up playing Phil Jones and Fabio against Blackburn at Old Trafford and really struggled.
"That was the end of Pogba, I think. He thought he should have been playing that night instead of those two.
MORE FOOTBALL FEATURES
"But he was playing in the reserve team and wasn't doing very well, so he didn't really warrant that."
Scholes continued: "So I went to Joycey and said: 'I'm thinking of coming back'.
"I spoke to Gary Neville and Phil Neville and they encouraged me to see Mike Phelan, so I went to his office and I was nervous.
"I was thinking: 'What if he says no?' But I had made my mind up, I would have just gone and played for somebody else.
"I was coming back whatever happened. But Mick thought it was a great idea.
"A day after I knocked on Fergie's door and he said 'great, let's do it straight away, let me call David Gill and we'll sort contract out.'"
Scholes went on to reveal he was forced to buy boots for his big comeback game from JJB Sports.
He added: "We were playing City away. We get in the dressing room and my shirt's there and I'm named as sub.
"I remember Danny Welbeck was next to me and he said 'I knew something was going on!'
"I had to sort my boots out. I had to go down to the local shop and buy a pair of boots because I didn't have any!
"I didn't have a sponsor, and we couldn't let Nike know.
"I remember the game itself. We were 3-0 up when I came on and we were against ten men, and then it went back to 3-2!
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
"I was taking my gear off ready to come on and [City coach] David Platt said to me 'what the hell are you doing?' and I went 'no idea!'
"At that time I wished I hadn't done it. I think I gave a bad pass for a throw in, and Sergio Aguero nipped onto it and scored."
Scholes continued saying a young Gareth Bale almost made him want to retire mid-season again... but stayed on to save face.
He claimed: "The manager gave me another year, but I was gone.
"I remember playing Tottenham at home, we got beat 3-2, I played alright in possession, but I remember [Mousa] Dembele and Gareth Bale cruising past me.
"I wanted to retire early again that season, but I thought it'd be embarrassing so I stayed on."