Cole is frustrated at Pogba criticism by ‘bully’ Souness

ANDY COLE has branded former boss Graeme Souness “a bully” and slammed him for criticising Paul Pogba.

Cole played under Souness at Blackburn in the early 2000s and says he stood up to the Liverpool legend.

The ex-Manchester United striker, below, who even reported Souness to the PFA over his treatment, claims he is out of touch with the modern game because his thinking is so old-fashioned.

“My issue with Graeme was back then, Graeme was a bully,” said Cole.

“And I was basically saying to Graeme, ‘It doesn’t work like that, I’ve grown up different. Bullying don’t work’. I took up a challenge against a man I really held no fear to. Graeme is very old-fashioned, he’s very set in his way.

“He was an unbelievable midfield player back in his day, fantastic, but when a man is set in his way with the way he used to play and the way his team-mates used to play, he looks at the game totally different to what it is now. And that is him.”

Cole says he is frustrated by Souness’s repeated attacks on Pogba after the Scot labelled the £89million midfielder selfish and questioned his commitment to United.

In a blistering attack on Souness, Cole told The Beautiful Game Podcast: “When he talks about Pogba, I get frustrated. I’m one of Paul Pogba’s biggest fans and when people constantly have a go at him, I am disappointed.

“Yeah, he hasn’t played as well as he’d have liked, but a man won’t win theWorld Cup unless he can play the game. He’s got every attribute.

“I hope he stays at United for many years to come and proves to individuals who speak about him in that tone what he is all about.

“He is a quality player and whatever Graeme has got against Paul, only Graeme can answer that question.”