Advertisement
Manchester United's Paul Pogba.
Assessment

Owen: Pogba would be one of the world's best if he played under Klopp or Guardiola

The World Cup winner continues to toil at Manchester United.

PAUL POGBA WOULD be “one of the best players in the world” if he played for Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola, says Michael Owen, with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho holding him back.

The World Cup-winning midfielder was returned to the Red Devils side last night for a Champions League clash with Valencia, having been stuck on the bench of late.

He was, however, to endure another frustrating evening in Spain, with one golden opportunity squandered as United slipped to a disappointing 2-1 defeat. Further questions are now being asked of Pogba’s future at Old Trafford and the role Mourinho is playing in his development.

Former United striker Owen believes the 25-year-old is not getting the support he needs, telling BT Sport: “I think the manager has to take some of the blame — the system, the way he plays. I remember when he first signed they were trying all kinds of midfielders in and around him trying to get the best out of him.

“I feel sorry for him from that point of view but, as a player, it is frustrating when you watch him because he still looks like a 16 or 17-year-old learning the game. I think he could do a lot worse than just going to watch a load of videos of Paul Scholes — see when to play one touch, see when to take loads of touches, when to beat players…

“I think he makes so many bad decisions in games, which is frustrating because if he was playing as he should… if he was playing under a Guardiola or a Klopp or someone like that I think we’d be looking at certainly one of the best few players in the world, but at the moment we can’t say that.”

Owen added: “I’m of the opinion that he is totally world class playing in a certain team in a certain way. I get very frustrated watching him because I know he’s better than what we see week in week out.

“I’m almost siding with him because I don’t think the way the team plays or the way the manager manages him is conducive to getting the best out of him.”

Subscribe to our new podcast, Heineken Rugby Weekly on The42, here:

Your Voice
Readers Comments
20
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

    Leave a commentcancel