Jamie Redknapp has criticised Paul Pogba for failing to produce in Manchester United’s biggest games this season ahead of Sunday’s EFL Cup final at Wembley.
The France international completed a world-record £89m move to Manchester United from Serie A champions Juventus in the summer transfer window following the appointment of Jose Mourinho in May.
Pogba has scored four goals and has made three assists in 24 games in the 2016-17 Premier League game this season in a promising first campaign under Jose Mourinho.
However, Pogba was heavily criticised for a disappointing and erratic performance in Manchester United’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Old Trafford last month.
Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of the EFL Cup final at Wembley on Sunday afternoon, former Liverpool and Southampton midfielder Redknapp challenged Pogba to produce a dominant performance.
“However, despite the control Carrick brings, there is pressure on Paul Pogba to take the game by the scruff of the neck. And that’s going to be a challenge for the Frenchman,” Redknapp said.
“There’s no doubt at all he’s a great player, he’s got all the attributes. But there seems to be something missing in big games recently. For instance, the biggest game for United is Liverpool – and, in both of those games this season, he’s not had an impact.
“He had a nightmare in the game at Old Trafford, in particular – but even in the Euros, with France, we didn’t see him at all in the final when they lost to Portugal.
“What’s the reason for that? Sometimes it’s a mentality thing, players can get too hyped or they get nervous and put pressure on themselves because they want to do so well.
“We see Pogba on Instagram and he’s a super human figure. But he’s only got the same feelings as everybody else. The nerves can take over.
“The challenge for him is to live up to his world-record transfer fee this weekend and deliver a starring performance in the middle of the park for Manchester United.”
Manchester United are in sixth place in the Premier League table and 11 points adrift of current leaders Chelsea with 13 games to go in the title race.
Pogba is the world’s most-expensive player.
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