Paul Pogba names former Liverpool man as his ‘toughest opponent’

Pogba also mentioned N’Golo Kante as an option.

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has revealed that former Liverpool man Emre Can is the toughest opponent he's faced in his career. Can, who registered 14 goals and 12 assists in 166 appearances for Liverpool, left the Reds to join Juventus on a free transfer in June 2018.

Paul Pogba: Emre Can was my toughest opponent.

The German won Serie A twice and the Italian Super Cup with Juve before returning to the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund in 2020. Pogba, who has faced off against Can at both club and international level, suggested that the 28-year-old is the toughest opponent he has faced and recalled a 'tough battle' that he had with the ex-Liverpool man. The Frenchman - who was speaking exclusively to JOE - said: "Emre Can, yeah. "Obviously, N'Golo [Kanté] 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." Pogba has played against Can on five separate occasions, and while he believes the German is his toughest ever opponent, he's never actually lost against the Dortmund man. The Man United midfielder has come up against Liverpool on seven occasions during his career - winning once, drawing four and losing twice.

---

Steve Sidwell and Joe Cole are joined in the All To Play For Arms for the Cheltenham Special by Micky Quinn. They discuss being a professional player at the inception of the Premier League, scoring four goals on debut and the transition from being a footballer to a professional horse racing trainer. Related links:

• Paul Pogba’s house broken into during Man United game.
• Manchester United's latest transfer acquisition hints at where club are heading.
• Paul Scholes names Man United manager he'd prefer to Pochettino or Ten Hag.