Paul Pogba names unexpected ex-Liverpool man as toughest opponent he's faced

Paul Pogba has named former Liverpool midfielder Emre Can as one of two toughest opponents he has faced in his career.

The World Cup winner faced the German twice when he played for the Reds during the 2016/17 season. Both games ended in draws and Pogba has now named him and Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante, whom he gave high praise, as the two trickiest players he has come up against.

Speaking to JOE he said: “Obviously, N’Golo and everything, but one day I remember I had a big battle with Emre Can. “But with Kante, you pass him and you think there’s another N’Golo because he comes back so fast.”

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Can stayed at Anfield for four years until the summer of 2018, moving on to Juventus shortly after Liverpool’s 3-1 Champions League loss to Real Madrid that year. The now Borussia Dortmund midfielder racked up 167 appearances for the Reds, netting 14 times.

Pogba achieved World Cup glory with France alongside Kante at the Russia 2018 finals. The former Leicester man has gone on to win the Champions League, Super League and Club World Cup since.

Pogba is yet to lift a club trophy since United ’s 2017 Europa League success and is being tipped for an Old Trafford exit with his contract up this summer. The 29-year-old has been linked with a move back to former club Juventus.

United paid £89m for the creative playmaker in 2016 having let him go from their books in 2012, but would return to the Old Lady for free if a deal can be agreed. Pogba was omitted from Ralf Rangnick’s starting XI in midweek as United crashed out of the Champions League against Atletico Madrid.

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