Mourinho tips Paul Pogba as future Man United captain

Paul Pogba, Jose Mourinho,

Manchester United's Paul Pogba

London: Paul Pogba's charisma and winning mentality makes Jose Mourinho believe the midfielder could one day make a fine Manchester United captain.

Four years on from departing without a first-team start to his name, United last summer brought the 23-year-old back to Old Trafford for a world record fee.

Jose Mourinho

The potential 110million euros (R778 crore) price tag looked to weigh heavy as Pogba began his second spell at the club, but markedly improved displays have made him key to a nine-match winning run United will look to extend against rivals Liverpool.

The midfielder has thanked Mourinho for letting him "free on the pitch", leading to performances that have suitably impressed the Portuguese manager. "It is not fair to say a player has to be dominant," the United boss said. "He is playing amazingly well, yes. No doubts about it.

"But the team is also playing well. I am not expecting the team to play really bad and for one player to have all the weight on his shoulders, not Paul, not anyone.

Mourinho believes the midfielder has the attributes to follow in the footsteps of the likes of Sir Bobby Charlton, Bryan Robson, Roy Keane and Wayne Rooney and captain United. "I think he has," Mourinho said.

"I think he has the charisma, the ambition, the mentality. He is a good professional. Being so young and with so many ingredients, I think he can," he added.