Scholes: United should sign Modric or Kroos to complement Pogba
Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes believes his former club should once again dip into the market to get the best out of world-record signing Paul Pogba.
And it wouldn't come cheap.
Scholes has identified the likes of Toni Kroos and Luka Modric as necessary signings, although Real Madrid would have something to say about that.
Pogba's £89-million return to Old Trafford was hyped all summer, but the main attraction has lacked similar buzz. His performances in a 4-2-3-1 formation showed a player unsure of himself or his positioning, and even though he was granted more freedom in Thursday's Europa League tie at Feyenoord, the result was the same.
At times it looks like he's doing too much, taking speculative shots from afar and roaming aimlessly about the pitch. On other occasions, Pogba's running into dead ends.
He's second to Zlatan Ibrahimovic in shots attempted by United players, but with no goals to show for it.
"He's trying to beat three or four players. He's running with the ball. He should keep it simple for now," Scholes told BT Sport after United's 1-0 loss to Feyenoord. "That's not the player Manchester United bought.
"They didn't buy a Lionel Messi to go and beat five players and stick it in the top corner all the time. They bought a powerful, strong midfield player who can take the ball. He's got skill, he can pass it forward, he can run.
"He needs a controlling midfield player next to him. They probably need to go into the transfer market for somebody like that. Michael (Carrick) is capable of it. But they still need that controlling midfielder, who can control where Paul goes and can control a game of football.
"I know he's (Jose Mourinho) happy with the four players he's bought but they still need that type of player. A Luka Modric or a Toni Kroos.
"I think these players are available. I think Paul Pogba would be a much better player playing with these types of players."
Pogba will have a chance to prove himself over the next two weeks, as United prepares to play four matches in 14 days.