'My man's got a World Cup winners' medal!' - Ferdinand backs up Pogba in Souness row

A former Old Trafford favourite thinks the criticism which has been aimed in the Frenchman's direction this season has been unwarranted Rio Ferdinand has jumped to the defence of Manchester United superstar Paul Pogba in his public feud with Graeme Souness, insisting the Liverpool legend has unfairly targeted his old team-mate.

Pogba has been restricted to just eight first-team appearances for United this season due to a persistent ankle injury.

The French midfielder underwent surgery on the issue in January and is expected to be back in contention for a place in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's line up when the 2019-20 campaign resumes after the coronavirus-enforced break. Souness has singled Pogba out for criticism throughout his second spell at Old Trafford, questioning his attitude and commitment to United's cause on a number of occasions.

When asked to weigh in on Souness' comments during a sit-down for United's official podcast, Pogba admitted that he had never heard of the former Liverpool defender, who responded by saying: "The oldest thing in football comes to mind – put your medals on the table."

Ferdinand says Pogba's World Cup winners' medal is proof of his credentials on the pitch, and cannot understand why he has come under so much scrutiny while taking in an extended spell on the sidelines.

The ex-United centre-back said on The Beautiful Game Podcast : "He hasn’t even played football this year! I don’t know how his name is in people’s mouths, he hasn’t even played football.

"I don’t understand it, like why are you chatting about Paul Pogba? He hasn’t played really this season so he shouldn’t be in the conversation.

"I don’t understand. Yeah, he’s a great player, huge profile, I understand all that. But he’s being judged or made the villain in this season which he’s played really no part in, so I don’t get it.

"Obviously Graeme Souness made a statement about putting your medals on the table. Boy, listen, my man’s got a World Cup winners’ medal. Like, it’s hard to chat to someone when they’ve got a World Cup.

"He won four Scudetti in Italy or something. He’s won stuff. Listen, Graeme Souness was a great player and he’s won a lot of stuff.