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Man Utd news: Paul Pogba would be much better playing for Man City - BBC Sport pundit
MANCHESTER UNITED midfielder Paul Pogba would be a better player if he was playing for fierce local rivals Manchester City.
That is the opinion of BBC Sport pundit and former Chelsea and Aston Villa midfielder Andy Townsend.
aul Pogba has often been the subject of criticism since his return to Manchester United in 2016.
However, Townsend does not necessarily think the Frenchman’s indifferent performances have been his fault, claiming the style of play under Jose Mourinho does not help him.
And he reckons Pogba would flourish under Pep Guardiola across at Manchester City.
If he was across the road in a light blue shirt, my goodness, I’m telling you now he would be better than he is
“I don’t subscribe to any of the other guys, particularly ex-midfield players as well, that have all heavily criticised him,” Townsend said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I think he’s an outstanding player and I’ve said that from day one.
“I just think the club he’s playing at and the way they play, doesn’t suit him.
“If he was across the road in a light blue shirt, my goodness, I’m telling you now he would be better than he is.”
Paul Pogba and manager Mourinho have not often seen eye to eye during their time working together.
Following Friday’s Premier League win over Leicester, Pogba claimed “there are things that I cannot say, otherwise I will get fined”.
Townsend cannot understand the friction between the two and says there must have been conversations between them recently, especially because Mourinho made Pogba captain against Leicester.
“Do you not think they’ve had a sit down, the two of them?,” he added.
“Surely Jose must have got him in at some point.
"They must have had conversations, about the captaincy for instance.
“He must have turned around and said ‘listen, I want you to be captain, I want you to lead’.”
Manchester United and Pogba are back in action away at Brighton this Sunday.
The Seagulls lost their opening game of the season 2-0 at Watford.