Jamie Redknapp: 'Paul Pogba would thrive under Pep Guardiola'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 14 February 2018

Redknapp: 'Pogba would thrive under Guardiola'

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has taken the wrong approach to getting the best out of midfield man Paul Pogba, according to Jamie Redknapp.

Jamie Redknapp has claimed that Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba would be better suited playing under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

The France international has endured a hit-and-miss second campaign back at Old Trafford, recently coming in for some strong criticism for his displays against Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United.

United boss Jose Mourinho dropped Pogba for the recent 2-0 home win against Huddersfield Town, while also hauling him off in the defeats to Spurs and Newcastle.

Former Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur ace Redknapp insists that Mourinho is struggling to get the best out of the £89m man, which would be a different story if Guardiola were his manager.

"I can't believe we've got to this situation so quickly, because when he got sent off against Arsenal, everyone was rolling out the stats that Manchester United can't play without him," he told Sky Sports News. "Everyone said that he was indispensable but now everyone is saying he's useless again. When things are good, he's the best player in the world.

"And now because of his price tag he's getting slaughtered. I think Mourinho has a big responsibility with him, it's his job. Everyone expects him to be this big confident player, but I think deep down he needs to be loved. 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. 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. 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."

Pogba has netted 12 goals in 74 appearances for United since rejoining from Juventus in 2016, and has also chipped in with 10 assists this season.