Sunday 25 September 2016 09:16, UK
Paul Pogba's performance against Leicester City was his best in a Manchester United shirt, says Gary Neville, though Graeme Souness would like to see the Frenchman get forward more.
Pogba earned the man-of-the-match award as United saw off Leicester 4-1 at Old Trafford, scoring his first goal since his world-record £89m move from Juventus in the summer.
Speaking on Sky Sports after the game, Neville says Pogba's all-round performance on Saturday, in particular his defensive work, may have come after a wake-up call following some mixed performances over the past fortnight.
Neville said: "Pogba was instrumental in that first half. We look at the scrutiny on Wayne Rooney, but a lot of people are saying that for £90m on a central midfield player, you have to influence the game. Today he did.
"The first half he was the best player on the pitch. In the first half, he seemed more determined, like Mourinho had told him to sprint back and win the ball. I think he's had a bit of a wake-up call in the week.
"It was an all-round performance. It is the best I've seen him.
"If you think about what you want your midfield player to do for £90m, you want him to pass well, come forward, be a threat in the box, be dynamic, sprint back and be a force defensively.
"All the facets of what would be an all-round midfield player, he's one of those rare midfield players who can do most things, and today we saw a big influence on the game."
The 23-year-old was influential in all areas on Saturday, tracking back on numerous occasions and creating a nuisance in the Leicester box.
Pogba scored 20 goals in his last two seasons for Juventus, and Souness believes he would be even more effective running in behind defences and being more of a presence inside the penalty area.
"I think Pogba should be getting in front of the ball a lot of the time, making runs into the box. He looks like he can run all day," said the former Scotland midfielder.
"I'd like to see him in the box more, he's an obvious threat arriving late. He's got power, strength, can head the ball, and I just think he's playing well within himself. I think he has so much more to offer, and I'd like to see him among the goals more.
"If I'm playing against him, I'd be happy seeing in front of me all the time, I wouldn't want to match his runs running into the box, because he'd run you into the ground."
