Manchester United transfer news: Paul Pogba left United in 2012 for money, says Paul Scholes

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes claims Paul Pogba left Old Trafford in 2012 after the Red Devils failed to meet his financial demands. The 23-year-old joined Juventus on a free transfer in 2012 and has now established himself into one of the best midfielders in Europe.

The France international's future with the Serie A winners remains uncertain as he is linked with a move away from his current employers. Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has confirmed the Turin club are looking to allow the United target leave this summer.

According to The Daily Record, Jose Mourinho has made signing Pogba as a priority in the summer transfer window. The midfielder is linked with a big money move to Old Trafford, with a reported fee of £100m ($131.1m).

Scholes, who was Pogba's team-mate at United, claims Pogba is not worth that money and the Old Trafford favourite believes United should bring in a player who can help them score goals for that "sort of money".

"He was a very talented young player, I played with him and I knew how good he was. He played for the first team maybe once or twice, but from my understanding he was asking for too much money," Scholes told Sport Witness.

"For his age, he was asking for far too much money, that too for a player who hasn't played first team football.

"Okay, he has gone on to great things. I think certainly there has been a lot of improvement. He needed to improve if he is going to be a player worth £86m.

"I just don't think he is worth £86m. For that sort of money, you want someone who is going to score 50 goals a season like Ronaldo or Messi. Pogba is nowhere worth that kind of money yet."

Meanwhile, Scholes has hailed Manchester City's capture of Ilkay Gundogan, who was Pep Guardiola's first signing at the Etihad. The German international moved to the Premier League for a reported fee of £20m ($26.2m) and United legend has labelled his capture as a "bargain."

"I think Gundogan is a really impressive player. I've seen a lot of him at Borussia Dortmund. I think he has a lot of injury problems, which could be a problem," United legend explained.

"If he can stay fit, I think he can be a fantastic player. I also think he is a great value for the money Manchester City paid for him. I think he is a bargain."