Manchester United's returning son Paul Pogba is a new kind of superstar, according to boss Jose Mourinho
- Paul Pogba will make second Manchester United debut on Friday night
- Jose Mourinho hoping for a big impact from his £100m signing
- However the Portuguese has called for Pogba to be given time to settle
Jose Mourinho will let loose Paul Pogba — the ‘best midfielder in the world’ — as Manchester United face Southampton at Old Trafford on Friday.
The £100million summer signing is set to make his second debut for the club he left in 2012 after seven substitute appearances in the first Friday night clash of the Premier League season.
Pogba won't dribble like Neymar or score every week like Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi, but Jose Mourinho believes the 23-year-old is the greatest all-rounder there is; someone who is able to stop goals, create goals and score goals.
Paul Pogba is back at Old Trafford and in training ahead of the Southampton match
The Frenchman is in line to make his second Manchester United debut on Friday night
The £100million summer signing's last match was the Euro 2016 final on July 10
Old Trafford boss Jose Mourinho has described Pogba as a new kind of superstar
'I could say he is the best midfielder in the world,' the Manchester United manager said.
'Sir Alex (Ferguson) did everything he could to keep him before and I think it was very important for the club not to be afraid to bring him back.
'Chelsea made the same mistake with Nemanja Matic (who left them for Benfica) and, a few years later, I pushed the club to do the deal. So Paul is back and I think he is really happy to be back. He is here to win trophies. His impact will be natural because he is a super footballer. He will progressively improve the team with his contribution.'
There was also a warning from Mourinho not to demand instant miracles from the world's most expensive player. That is not Pogba's forte — despite the occasional spectacular strike for Juventus and France — and he has been in training for less than a fortnight following his post-Euro 2016 holiday and protracted transfer negotiations.
'I'm not expecting the first time he touches the ball he dribbles past five guys and score a wonder goal,' said Mourinho.
Pogba's last United appearance came against Wolves as a substitute in 2012
Pogba on the front of the Manchester United vs Southampton programme
'I expect him to make the correct pass, a good simple execution and to keep the game fluid.
'I understand the word 'impact' but I don't think he or I are worried about having an immediate impact. I can see he is very calm and comfortable in his role of a star player. I don't see him under pressure or trying things in training to show he's different or better.
'Can Paul score the same number of goals as Messi or Ronaldo? Not even 25 per cent. I believe in a season he can't score 20 goals but that's not the point.'
As Pogba, whose goal record was 33 in 178 games for Juventus, prepares to make his first start, there will be plenty sweating among the rest of the squad over which of them will miss out.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is in line for his full home United debut against Southampton
Mourinho is likely to stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation that saw United get off to a winning start at Bournemouth on Sunday, which would make Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini most vulnerable to being replaced. Henrikh Mkhitaryan will also hope for a full debut at the expense of Juan Mata.
Whatever the line-up, Mourinho wants a cracking night-time atmosphere at the so-called Theatre of Dreams, which has been relatively quiet in recent seasons as David Moyes and Louis van Gaal have struggled.
'Everything starts with the relationship between the team and the fans,' said Mourinho.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan (left) will also be hoping for a full debut at the expense of Juan Mata
'If a couple of thousand away supporters can be noisier than 70,000 United supporters, then we are in trouble because it means there is no connection.
'Everything starts with the way the team plays, behaves and the mode of play. If the fans feel that, they also want to play and if the fans play, there is no chance for the opponent.'
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will also make his Old Trafford bow with Mourinho expecting his stay to last beyond the initial 12-month contract which has an option at the end of it.
'No doubt he will be here for the next two years,' he said.
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