'I will never' - Manchester United have found an unexpected ally amid familiar criticism
Comparisons between Manchester United and Liverpool are rarely welcomed, but those who were around at Anfield in the 1990s might be able to sympathise with their Old Trafford counterparts today.
During Liverpool's fall from grace in the 1990s, the TV studios and radio booths were well stocked with former players queuing up to tell them where they were going wrong and that it wasn't like this in their day. The noise was difficult to cut through, and it took 30 years for that particular title drought to end.
Nobody expects United to be waiting that long, but those currently tasked with restoring glory to the club are having to do so when the noise is even louder. Now, it is former United greats who occupy the pundit space. Only 30 years on, the modern media cycle is even more unrelenting.
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On radio, on TV, in papers and on social media, there is no shortage of former players ready to stick the knife in after a defeat, to criticise and critique everything that is happening at the club, on and off the pitch. You only have to witness the hysterical reaction from Eric Cantona and Rio Ferdinand to the ending of Sir Alex Ferguson's ambassadorial role at the end of this season to see an example.
Erik ten Hag did gently bite back at this group of pundits last season, reminding them after a draw with Burnley that they also went through rebuilding phases under Sir Alex Ferguson. The problem for Ten Hag and United is that modern media often demands clips that can go viral, which can encourage pundits to be even more critical than usual.
Every interview with a former United player will include questions on the current state of affairs at Old Trafford. What's going wrong? Why is it going wrong? Who is to blame, and who should get the sack?
So it was refreshing to see one former player who left under a cloud resist the temptation to follow suit this week and instead offer a much more nuanced explanation of life in the harsh glare of the Old Trafford spotlight.
Paul Pogba's second spell at Old Trafford came to a disappointing end. His final action was to limp out of a collapse at Liverpool inside the first 10 minutes, and supporters had seen enough. Pogba failed to deliver at United, but he will have his own reasons for what went wrong under Jose Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and then Ralf Rangnick.
Speaking to English media this week ahead of a return following a drugs ban the questions eventually got on to United, but Pogba didn't seek to make headlines. While he explained the circumstances around failing a drug test and spoke about a comeback, he could have fired in a few barbs at a club that is easy to take shots at these days. He didn't.
"I will never destroy the club I played with. I respect all the players there and they are doing their best. There is a lot of media on Manchester United and they need time," Pogba told Sky Sports.
"Arsenal had a long time to get back to the top and now they are dominating the league with Man City and Liverpool. It's a big club and I believe they will come back one day. The reality is, they are not at the top and it is not today."
There is an obvious comparison to be made with Cristiano Ronaldo here. Ronaldo is still feted by a large community of United fans, despite taking numerous pot-shots at the club since he left. Pogba is disliked but actually offered a far more intelligent take on his old club.
His observation of the media spotlight on the club and the fact they need time, especially with Ineos only recently assuming control of football operations, was well-judged and accurate. He also tried to defend the harsh spotlight that falls on some players at United, with Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford cited.
"Why the criticism? For performance or for something else? I think you're at the biggest club in England with a lot of fans. They need to say something I guess and all the players you mention are talented," he said.
"You win as a team. You never point at one player at Man City but they play as a team, win as a team. When they don't play well, it's the team that don't play well."
Pogba was also asked about the decision to end Ferguson's £2m-a-year ambassadorial deal at the end of this season. Rather than joining the outcry at what actually looks like a sensible business decision, he offered a far more thoughtful take.
"Does it change what he has done for the club? The only thing I hear is that he won't get paid anymore," he said.
"Sir Alex Ferguson will still be Sir Alex Ferguson. He is still in their history and will be forever. The only thing I hear is the money! He is Sir Alex Ferguson, a legend and always will be at Manchester United."
Perhaps if Pogba became a full-time pundit he would be more cutting but at a time when United again find themselves in the stocks, a former player few fans have time for actually delivered one of the more reasonable judgements on them.