Former Manchester United star Jesse Lingard has claimed his ex-teammate Paul Pogba flopping at Old Trafford was partly due to "fake promises".
The France international has endured a difficult past six months riddled with controversy and injuries, with the latter seeing him miss out on the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Read: Lingard: Ronaldo was right about Man Utd
Pogba is also embroiled in an ongoing investigation into an extortion scandal, which he has alleged his brother Mathias Pogba is partly responsible for, while his sibling has, in turn, accused him of witchcraft.
Prior to that, the playmaker also ruffled a few feathers when he criticised United in his Amazon Prime documentary called The Pogmentary, claiming that the club offered him "nothing" despite receiving two contract renewal offers, per The Athletic.
Many have since labelled Pogba as a "flop" for failing to live up to his club-record transfer fee of €105 million (R1.9 billion) during his six-year second stint in Manchester.
England international Lingard, who now plays for Nottingham Forest, has now explained why he believes the 2018 World Cup winner failed to be a success at the Theatre of Dreams alongside the likes of other marquee signings such as Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku.
Asked about the club's lack of success with big-name signings, Lingard told the Diary of a CEO podcast: "I just think we didn't click. Of course, with Louis van Gaal we won the FA Cup, with Jose Mourinho the Europa League and Carabao Cup.
"It's strange, because a lot of players have come in and failed. Alexis in training [puffs out cheeks], top. Alexis Sanchez quality, in training he was quality. Then it comes to a game and it just didn't click for some reason. I don't know why. Is it pressure?
"When I was playing, especially with Rom and Alexis, we just wanted to enjoy our football. It's always going to be hard to win the Prem when City have been so dominant for many years.
"Even to win the Europa League, Carabao Cup, Community Shield, we're winning trophies, but then when Jose left, the trophies stopped. And that's difficult. Another new manager. You have to prove yourself over and over again.
"It's kind of like fake promises really. You'll be told, 'You're doing well, you'll play next game' and then don't end up playing."
Alluding to Pogba's situation specifically, Lingard added: "There's no control, no structure or balance. People do what they like. It's like a free-for-all.
"Like what happened with Paul, he is one of the best midfielders in the world, I've known him since he was 16. It didn't happen at United, so something is wrong."
Read: Tuchel 'puts hand up' for big Premier League job
Pogba is still yet to make his second Juve debut after his free transfer to the Turin club in July 2022, but is expected to turn out for the Old Lady later this month, on 26 January.
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