Former Manchester United academy chief Brian McClair doesn't see Paul Pogba as a box-to-box player.

McClair believes Pogba is at his best in an attacking role.

He told theManchester Evening News, “He's a big player.

“But he's got some really good skills and he's got goal-scoring abilities and goal-making abilities.

“One of the other coaches I worked with in my time - Jim Ryan - said he thinks he's more of a Messi. It might sound ridiculous because you are looking at stature.

“But what he saw working with him from a 16-year-old to 18-year-old is that he had those skills. That ability to score goals, make goals and be a big influence.

“This season Nemanja Matic being bought allowed Paul more freedom to go forward. That's how I'd see him being more influential."

McClair added: “Alex Ferguson always felt that 25 was the age a player would understand what he has to do every game and give a seven out of 10 minimum performance every game.

“When you get to the situation with David Silva you see seven, eight, nine out of 10 every game."