Manchester United's Paul Pogba lacks 'basic understanding' to become top-class midfielder, says Graeme Souness

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Graeme Souness believes Paul Pogba lacks the ‘basic understanding’ to play central midfielder and believes Manchester United’s record transfer will never become a top-class player.

United’s season has so far hinged on the fitness of Pogba, with their performances plummeting while the 24-year-old was out for seven weeks with a hamstring injury but picking up once he returned to full fitness.

His red card during the 3-1 victory over Arsenal overshadowed a marvellous display where he contributed two assists before receiving his marching orders which carry a three-game ban, ruling him out of this weekend’s Manchester derby.

Pogba also featured in the win over CSKA Moscow on Tuesday night but Souness criticised the Frenchman for failing to track back and questioned his ability to reach the very top.

“When he is on the ball, there’s lots of things to admire. He’s powerful, he’s got good technique, he can wrong foot people, he can ping the ball,” Souness told Irish television channel TV3.

“Where I question him, whether he'll ever be a top player, is his understanding of the game. This isn’t me being an ex-Liverpool player caning a Man United player. I thought the same when he was a Juventus player.

“That is basic stuff you learn in the youth team. He's 24 years old if he's not got it now when is he going to get it?

“He hasn't taken a big game by the scruff of the neck and dominated it. He hasn't got a basic understanding of his position, I can't see that changing.”