Sir Alex Ferguson reveals why Paul Pogba left Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson has lifted the lid on precisely why French star Paul Pogba left Manchester United.

Pogba, then 19, departed the 20-time English champions in 2012 after refusing the offer of a new contract because he had grown frustrated by a lack of first-team opportunities at the club.

In the three years since, the midfielder has matured into one of the hottest properties in world football.

In his new book, Leading, the 73-year-old blames Pogba's agent Mino Raiola for convincing the midfielder he was better off away from Old Trafford.

"There are one or two football agents I simply do not like and Mino Raiola, Paul Pogba's agent, is one of them," he said.

"I distrusted him from the moment I met him."

The 73-year-old Scot defends the quality of the squad that his successor David Moyes inherited in 2013, saying criticism of United's players made it sound like "I had left 11 corpses on the steps of a funeral".

He also echoes a recent comment from Van Gaal by backing Ryan Giggs, United's current assistant manager, to enjoy a successful managerial career.

"Ryan Giggs is eventually going to be a great manager," Ferguson writes. "He has intelligence, presence and knowledge."

Valued at around £70million by Italian giants Juventus, he has helped the Bianconeri to three successive Serie A titles, while also being named Best Young Player at the 2014 World Cup.

United received just £800,000 in compensation for Pogba, who spent three years with the club after signing from French club Le Havre.

-Mirror