Jamie Carragher insists Manchester City shouldn't go "anywhere near" Paul Pogba amid reports the Premier League side are weighing up a summer move.
The Frenchman's contract on the red half of the city is due to expire in a matter of weeks leaving him free to receive offers. The lack of a transfer fee will make him an even more enticing prospect, despite the question marks that still hang over the mercurial midfielder.
Manchester United paid a club record £89million for the World Cup winner but have only seen flashes of his brilliance with Pogba criticised for a lack of discipline and work rate. The player we've seen over the past six seasons wouldn't appear to suit Pep Guardiola's City side.
However a sensational switch across Manchester has got some talking up a Carlos Tevez-like move. Micah Richards and Jamie Redknapp felt a swoop was a "no brainer" but Carragher, who has long been outspoken regarding Pogba, has urged them against doing so.
He said on Sky Sports : "I wouldn't go anywhere near him. You win the league every year, I mean he doesn't work hard enough. There's no doubting his ability, no one has ever doubted it. But you see the creative players City have - brilliant players and they don't stop running, don't stop working. That's what makes City what they are.
"So Pogba just starts (working now)? I'm not doubting his quality - he doesn't work hard enough. Anyone who says he gives 100 per cent every game - that's just a lie. Pogba, French shirt or with Man Utd, unreal quality, but we're here six years in still talking about best position, who can get the best out of him."
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Pogba is reportedly open to offers, including City's, despite the backlash that would come from the red half of Manchester. He has only claimed two pieces of silverware in almost six seasons at United with several managers trying and failing to unlock the player who turned up so regularly at Juventus.
However Carragher maintains that playing for a side who aren't necessarily competing for honours doesn't prevent you from producing your best as he referenced his former teammate. He claimed: "Did Steven Gerrard pull up trees at Liverpool? We were similar to what Man Utd are now, we never won the league, we were fighting for top four. He still pulled up trees."
City are currently spoilt from midfield options with anchor Rodri often playing alongside the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden or Ilkay Gundogan.
