Paul Pogba claims Man Utd players were ‘cheating’ teammates with poor performances

Paul Pogba has claimed Manchester United’s players were cheating each other with their poor performances before their sharp upturn in form.

A terrible start to the season saw the Red Devils win just three of their opening six Premier League games and exit the Champions League. However, they’ve now only lost once in their last 13 games in all competitions – that being a Carabao Cup semi final to Manchester City – and are behind their local rivals in the top flight by just one point.

Pogba is one player who has consistently been singled out for criticism in recent years, but he told BT Sport pundit and United legend Rio Ferdinand that a lack of effort had previously held the side back.

When asked what had changed recently, he said as quoted by the Daily Mail: “The mentality, playing more as a team. Playing much better altogether, pressing much better together. No one is cheating. When I mean cheating – no one is running less or not making the effort to come back.

“It’s always been a problem. When you’re all together it’s always going to be easier.

“If someone is making less effort, it’s going to be a little problem for the team. When you’re all together, you all work hard, you see the result.”

United have the chance to leapfrog City at the top of the Premier League when they face Sheffield United on Wednesday night, though they will have played a game more than Pep Guardiola’s side by the conclusion of the evening’s action.

Pogba also spoke about teammate Bruno Fernandes. The Portugal international has made a massive impact since signing for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side last year and has recently been compared to United great Eric Cantona.

On the 26-year-old, World Cup winner Pogba added: “Since Bruno (Fernandes) arrived he’s brought this energy, his passing, his scoring goals, his creativity. With me I am deeper, but he is in front to create as well.

“It’s always good to have two players who can create any time. It suits both of us, we’ve been doing very well. We are more complete as a team.”

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