Paul Pogba was 'not disciplined enough to play central midfield' for Manchester United reserves during the early stages of his career, according to former Red Devils midfielder Darren Fletcher.

Pogba famously left United for Juventus on a free transfer in 2012, frustrated not to be given a first-team role by Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Frenchman ultimately returned to Old Trafford in the summer of 2016, but his form continues to be questioned, with many believing that the 25-year-old lacks the discipline required to be a world-class midfielder.

Fletcher had a spell coaching United's reserve team as he battled ulcerative colitis, and the Scot has given an insight into the club's opinion of Pogba at that moment in time.

"The first time I spent out with my illness I did a spell coaching the reserve team when it included Pogba, [Jesse] Lingard, [Ravel] Morrison and we played him higher up the pitch in attacking areas," Fletcher told Sky Sports News.

"We felt like he was the one who would win us game, coupled with the fact he was ill-disciplined in the middle of the park.

"It goes back to a famous game when we felt like he left off the back of against Blackburn [Rovers]. Paul was on the bench and the boss picked Park Ji-Sung and Phil Jones in midfield. We didn't think he was disciplined enough for the reserve team, never mind the first team at that time."

Pogba has scored five times and registered four assists in 14 appearances for United this season.