Manchester United fans, we have good news and bad news.
The good: Jamie Redknapp appears to have stopped banging on about how Marcus Rashford needs to leave your club in search of regular first team football.
The bad: He’s now turned his attention to Paul Pogba.
That, perhaps, is no great surprise. After all, you don’t need Graeme Souness to tell you that the French international hasn’t quite been at the peak of his powers in recent weeks.
Redknapp, like the rest of us, has spotted this and has claimed that Jose Mourinho needs to take responsibility for not getting the best out of the midfielder.
“I think Mourinho has a big responsibility with him, it’s his job,” he told Sky Sports‘ The Debate. “Everyone expects him [Pogba] to be this big confident player, but I think deep down he needs to be loved.”
Mourinho recently substituted Pogba in games against Tottenham and Newcastle. For the home fixture against Huddersfield Town, which took place between those two matches, the 24-year-old started from the bench. Referring to this, Redknapp warns the two-time Champions League winner that this isn’t the way to get the best out of Pogba.
“Taking him off against Tottenham, that’s not how you’re going to get the best out of him. You can see at Newcastle, his confidence was really low.”
But Redknapp isn’t done there. Oh no. He then goes as far as suggesting that Pogba would flourish under Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola.
“I’m not saying you need to pander to him but I don’t see a situation where Pep Guardiola would do that. If he was playing at Man City, he would be one of their star performers. I just don’t think that Jose Mourinho gets the best out of him.
“Pep’s the sort of manager who would bring him on, but with Mourinho it almost feels like he’s taking him on. This isn’t a kid he’s dealing with, he’s one of the biggest assets in world football.”
Redknapp also warns that conflict between Mourinho and Pogba could prove very costly for the United manager.
“Mourinho is asking for a war now with current players. With Pogba’s power in that dressing room, Mourinho has got to be very careful. I don’t see the benefit in upsetting one of your star players.”
