Paul Pogba is often labelled "the one that got away" by Manchester United fans following his departure to Juventus in 2012. Poga has since gone on to become one of the world's best young midfielders and might have become an all-time United great were it not for a bad attitude during his tumultuous stay at the Theatre of Dreams. Pogba wasn't getting in the United side two years ago and was growing frustrated over his lack of playing time, and eventually threw his toys out of his pram following a game against Blackburn Rovers in December 2011. The Reds were hit by an injury crisis at the time and were short on midfield players. Instead of deploying Pogba, Sir Alex Ferguson instead left him out of the side and played Park Ji Sung and right-back Rafael. This was enough for the Frenchman to blow a gasket and when Ferguson tried to persuade him to patiently bide his time and stay at the club, Pogba threw the offer back in his face, raging: It was all down to Ferguson. I didnt want to sign a contract as Ferguson didnt play me, even though there were no midfielders there. He obviously thought I didnt deserve the contract I asked for, and didnt put me in the team even though he had no midfield players.
It was his choice. United were short of midfield players like me, but it was the managers decision. I couldnt do anything about it. I was very frustrated because he spoke to me a few times and said I was nearly there.
Had Pogba exercised patience instead of his mouth, he might still be at Manchester United today. But in the end his ego wrecked what could have been an illustrious career at Old Trafford.
Joseph is an accredited football journalist and has interviewed nearly all of the current 20 Barclay's Premier League managers. He is also a correspondent for Bleacher Report and has written for Caught Offside and Give Me Football.
