The drama surrounding Paul Pogba at Manchester United has everybody talking and Jose Mourinho didn't exactly quell the rumours by benching him for the trip to Sevilla.

Despite entering the Champions League knockout stages for the first time in four years, the Special One opted against playing arguably the biggest name in his squad.

It served to augment the drama surrounding the Frenchman and his recent drop in form since the turn of 2018, which has Mourinho opting for 21-year-old Scott McTominay in his place.

There were few surprises that it was a talking point in the BT Sport studio and Rio Ferdinand has conjured one of the best theories yet on why the midfielder hasn't been the same recently.

In fact, the United legend doesn't believe the positional and defensive side of his game has been the same since he left Juventus over 18 months ago and Paul Scholes couldn't help agreeing.

Rio Ferdinand on Pogba at Juventus v Pogba at Man Utd

Analysing before kick-off, the two ex-players cited the lack of strong personalities in the United defence that could help to organise and keep an eye on Pogba.

Ferdinand expounded: "Positioning has been a large part of it, I would have been screaming at him. He would have found me a nightmare because I would be pushing him all over the park

"He needs that, he had that at Juventus but he doesn't have that here.

"It's the intensity, you've got to be on your toes, with intent to defend for your team and he's been lacking that in recent weeks. I think that with Bonucci, Chellini, Buffon at Juventus he had that; here the communication isn't there and the demands aren't being put on him."

Paul Scholes completely agrees - alludes to role of Pirlo

Scholes couldn't help citing the disparity between his defensive showings at Juventus and United and talked about his performances alongside a top midfielder, presumably Andrea Pirlo.

"For two years or maybe three years, playing with was one of the best midfield players in the world at Juventus, he was sensational - he was a part of the team and he knew the exact nature of his job," he explained.

"You look at United sometimes when they're playing, you don't really know where they're playing and what they're going to do."

Ferdinand shuts down Lampard

Frank Lampard was keen to play devil's advocate but Ferdinand quickly retorted: "If you lost your awareness of your position on the pitch, you had John Terry behind you, Carvalho or Gallas, screaming at you to get back and protect.

"At Manchester United, I don't think Pogba isn't afforded that."

Why do you think Paul Pogba has struggled in recent weeks? Have your say in the comments section below.