• Premier League

Pogba exit huge loss for United - Evra

Paul Pogba left Manchester United for Juventus in 2012 © PA Photos

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Patrice Evra has admitted that Paul Pogba's departure from Manchester United in 2012 was a massive blow to the club.

Pogba quit Old Trafford for Juventus at the end of Sir Alex Ferguson's penultimate season after failing to agree a new contract.

Aggrieved over his lack of starting time under Ferguson, Pogba revealed the sight of Rafael and Ji-Sung Park getting the nod in midfield for the home clash against Blackburn went a long way to making up his mind to leave United.

Wayne Rooney and Darron Gibson were both dropped for disciplinary reasons with Michael Carrick also forced to play in defence due to a spate of injuries at the back, though Pogba still only made the bench.

Pogba, recalling the moment to French TV station TF1, said: "I said to Ferguson: 'Play me, and I will show you if I'm ready or not'.

"Against Blackburn, on December 31, 2011, I was on the bench. Ferguson puts Rafael in midfield with Ji-Sung Park. Then I gave up. I was really bummed."

Pogba ran down his United deal and joined Juventus on a four-year contract, winning the Scudetto last season. Now Evra, in the France squad with Pogba for the upcoming friendly with Australia and World Cup qualifier against Finland, has revealed his regret over the midfielder's exit.

"His [Pogba's] talent on the pitch, his aggression, his presence, is very rare," said Evra. "He very quickly earned the respect of players like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes.

"It's true that have you have to win over the manager too, but to have won the dressing room like he did [was impressive].

"It was truly a huge loss when he left the club."

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