Former Arsenal and France midfielder Emmanuel Petit insists the lack of "positive vibes" surrounding Manchester United is what has impacted Paul Pogba's career at Old Trafford so much, insisting he is a different player when he links up with the France squad.
The midfielder, who is out-of-contract at United this summer and set to leave the club in June, has failed to live up to expectations since returning to the club in the summer of 2016. Re-signed from Juventus for a club-record fee of £89million, Pogba has blown hot and cold throughout his second spell as a United player.
This season has been no different. After grabbing a very impressive seven assists in his first four Premier League appearances at the start of the campaign, he has registered just two since, as well as scoring just one goal all season.
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Admittedly, this season, United have not generated a brilliant atmosphere for any player to perform to the very top of their game, but Pogba has been too inconsistent for too long. For Petit, however, he believes that is down to what United have done, outlining how his fellow countryman is a different proposition when sporting a France shirt.
"There is a Paul Pogba that plays for the French national team and a Paul Pogba that plays for Manchester United who is totally different," Petit told bookmakers.com. "Every time Paul comes to play for France it is like oxygen for him because the atmosphere is better, and he hasn't the same teammates.
"But, when he goes back to his club it's like everything is cloudy and raining all day.There are no positive vibes, they are struggling on and off the pitch. It's two different worlds.
"If you ask me if he can go to Real Madrid or PSG? I would ask him to first of all find his motivation and get back into the routine of playing for his club. It's very different to what you can do with the national team."
Pogba is certain to leave United at the end of June and Petit believes you can tell by just looking at his body language that he wants out. Paris Saint-Germain are understood to have already made him an offer.
"Paul Pogba should not stay at Manchester United beyond this summer," Petit continued "It is time for him to leave the club.
"His body language tells you the story that he is not happy there at all. He is not the only one by the way, there is so many frustrated players at the club."
On the environment Pogba is currently playing in, Petit added: "I watched the game they had with Everton. Come on.
"This is supposed to be Manchester United. You have such responsibility when you play for a great team, and they are not the club I used to play against.
"I believe Pogba should leave the club this summer because his time has run out over there. It's time for him to find a new motivation, something different because the current environment at Manchester United is not good at all for the players.
"If you asked this question to the entire dressing room, I'm sure that half of them would actually want to leave."
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