Paul Pogba’s future being publicised by Mino Raiola was ’embarrassing’, slams Dimitar Berbatov

Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has laid into Paul Pogba and has brandished his latest incident involving his agent Mino Raiola as ’embarrassing’.

On the eve of United’s must-not-lose Champions League clash at RB Leipzig on Tuesday, their preparations were rocked when Raiola declared that his client’s future at the club is ‘over’.

Raiola’s damning comments overshadowed United’s build-up to the game – which they ended up losing 3-2 in Germany.

Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola (left) has caused a stir at United by declaring his time there is ‘over’

Berbatov has laid into the pair for the timing of the comments and believes it had a detrimental effect on their group-stage exit.

‘Mino Raiola’s comments about Paul Pogba being unhappy were very poorly timed, right before a massive match in the Champions League,’ he told Betfair.

‘That isn’t ideal and I’m sure it would have been felt in the dressing room before the game.

‘I don’t think Pogba would have known what Raiola was about to say, which is embarrassing for the player. At the end of the day the agent is working for the player, so the agent should do what the player tells him, it doesn’t matter who you are – you work for the player.

‘It was the wrong way to do things, it created a big fuss which was totally unnecessary before a match. On the other hand, if Pogba did tell his agent to say those things then it’s obvious that something isn’t quite right.

‘Maybe he’s already had conversations with people at the club about his situation but, whatever the case, if he’s unhappy he needs to say it, not his agent and until he does say it, we’ll never know.’

While sympathetic to Pogba’s situation, Berbatov also portioned substantial blame at his door and said if he was to leave then his absence wouldn’t be keenly felt at Old Trafford.

‘I can understand if Paul is not happy, I bet he isn’t because he isn’t playing, it’s obvious, when he comes on as a sub and has very little game time he won’t be happy,’ the two-time Premier League winner continued.

‘If this situation continues then I think it’s best if they part ways because, in the last few games, Solskjaer’s lack of confidence in Pogba has been clear.

‘I don’t think it’s a case of changing the team and resting him, I don’t think Pogba is in good shape or form.

‘At the same time, we do have to take into account that he is coming back into the team after testing positive for coronavirus, so this could also be a factor. But if he is genuinely unhappy and he continues to be left out of the starting 11, then I think it’s best for him to move on.

‘I still think Pogba’s a great player, and like every great player it’s normal to have ups and downs. But, with him, there have been more downs than ups this campaign and there are different factors in play as to why that is.

‘If he is in his best condition and in his best form then he United will miss him, but if he continues in the form he is in then he won’t be a miss at Old Trafford.’