'Still behind' - Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri provides concerning Paul Pogba update

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is a different player to what he once was, according to Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri.

Pogba left Old Trafford at the end of the 2021/22 season on a free transfer after the decision was made not to renew his deal. The Frenchman was struggling with injury when he left United and this continued into his time in Turin.

It took until February for Pogba to make his second debut at Juventus but in March the midfielder suffered a tear in his abductor muscle which led to another spell on the sidelines. On Thursday night, the 30-year-old made his return to the pitch during a four minute cameo in the 1-0 victory over Sporting in the Europa League.

ALSO READ: Ferdinand says Scholes used to 'launch' Pogba in training

He would then be given seven minutes in the 1-0 defeat to Sassuolo and after the match Allegri confirmed that Pogba was some way off his best. Speaking to DAZN, the Juve boss said: "Pogba is a strong player, but right now he's not in the ideal condition to play a 90-minute match.

"He is still behind athletically, today was already better than last time but he is still behind. We all see that he is a different player.

"Slowly, we'll bring him maybe to half an hour and then later. The important thing is that it gives consistency, the knee is responding well."

Last weekend, Pogba would make headlines again in the UK after Rio Ferdinand claimed that Paul Scholes would 'launch' the young midfielder during United's training sessions at Carrington. The former centre back revealed that this was seen as 'character building' for the player as he made his way in men's football.

READ NEXT: