Former player Jaap Stam has encouraged Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to try to build a team around Paul Pogba.

With just over a year remaining on his contract, Pogba is expected to depart Old Trafford during the next transfer window, potentially to either Juventus or Real Madrid.

However, despite the World Cup winner's mixed second spell at United, Stam wants Solskjaer to give the France international 'more freedom' in midfield.

Speaking to Goal, Stam said: "I would love to see Paul stay because I think he's a quality player. People expect a lot from him and there's a lot of criticism towards him. Sometimes you can say that's fair but other times the criticism he gets is not correct.

"I don't know what's going to happen, of course. He needs to get fit first but I would be happy if he did stay and played another season.

"Pogba is a player who is creative, who wants to play a little bit in his own way, and sometimes you need to give him that little bit of freedom."

Injuries have restricted Pogba to just eight appearances in all competitions this season.