Football News

David Moyes urges Man Utd to keep hold of “best midfield player” Paul Pogba

By Harry Edwards

Published: 11:58, 24 October 2019

Former Manchester United manager David Moyes has urged the club to keep hold of midfielder Paul Pogba.

The French midfielder joined United in 2016 from Juventus for a then-world record fee of £90m, having previously come through the Red Devils’ academy. But Pogba has so far failed to truly live up to the expectations that came with his price tag.

Should Man Utd sell Pogba? Five things to know…

  • Paul Pogba signed for Manchester United in 2016 for a then-world record fee of £90m.
  • The Frenchman has scored 31 goals and recorded 31 assists in 148 games so far.
  • But he has been criticised for not being consistent enough with his performances.
  • This has led to Pogba being linked with a move away from Old Trafford.
  • But former United manager David Moyes insists the club must keep their best midfielder.

Since returning to United Pogba has made 148 appearances, scoring 31 goals and recording a further 31 assists, but the Frenchman has struggled to find form under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at a time when the Red Devils have needed someone to lead them.

This has led to Pogba being linked with a move away from United, with Real Madrid among those reportedly interested. But Moyes, who managed United during the 2013/14 season, believes the Red Devils must not allow their best midfielder to leave.

“Pogba is still Manchester United’s best midfield player,” he told talkSPORT. “He could probably play for any team in the world, certainly in Europe. He would get a game for any team.

“I’m not always sure he’s a player who is consistent and makes the difference all the time.

“For the profile he has got, you’re hoping he makes the difference. He doesn’t always make the difference, but do I think he should stay at Manchester United? Yes, I do.

“I don’t think he wins games like [Lionel] Messi does for Barcelona or [Cristiano] Ronaldo does for Juventus, but I still think he’s a really talented player. He has got a lot to give.

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“Watching him at his best was when he was at Juventus, he played a little bit further forward, he got nearer the box more often.

“If you were picking the Manchester United team, Pogba would be in their midfield at the moment, that’s for sure.”

Pogba has made just six appearances for United so far this season, suffering with an ankle injury, and will be absent for their Europa League game against Partizan Belgrade on Thursday.