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Paul Pogba leaves Nemanja Matic exposed: Steven Gerrard

Liverpool icon Gerrard says there is still one area of his game that needs improvement before he can take his place among the all-time heroes at United.

Paul Pogba

Bengaluru, December 7: Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has nothing but praise for Manchester United star Paul Pogba but he believes that the Frenchman needs to work on some areas of his game in order to become a legend at Old Trafford.

Pogba has emerged as the key player for Jose Mourinho's side since making his return to Old Trafford in 2016. The Frenchman was brought back by the Red Devils from Juventus on a then-world record fee and slowly but surely, Pogba is justifying his huge price tag.

However, Liverpool icon Gerrard says there is still one area of his game that needs improvement before he can take his place among the all-time heroes at United.

And he says the £89million midfielder could follow Gerrard’s lead in order to improve on that area that is his defensive discipline.

Gerrard said: “He’s growing all the time - I think he certainly makes Manchester United a lot stronger, more of a threat in the final third.

“I think if there’s one small, tiny criticism of this player it would be that he goes forward maybe too much.

“If he’s playing in central midfield with one other player i.e. a Nemanja Matic, he might leave him a bit exposed.

"I had a similar criticism of myself when I played in that position with Didi Hamann or Xabi Alonso.

“I was eager to get into the box all the time and with experience and age and a bit more maturity, you maybe pick and choose your times where you make your runs forward."

Pogba is a pivotal player at Manchester United and the Red Devils suffered a dip in form when he was out with injury which is hardly a surprise.

His return to full fitness has helped Mourinho's side got their rhythm back and they now look the most realistic challengers to Manchester City in the race for the title.

But the 24-year-old will have to sit out this weekend's crucial Manchester derby after his red card in the 3-1 win over Arsenal last week and his club decided not to appeal the dismissal after he caught the leg of Gunners defender Hector Bellerin at the Emirates on Saturday (December 2).

Story first published: Thursday, December 7, 2017, 10:21 [IST]
Other articles published on Dec 7, 2017