Updated at 18.23
PAUL POGBA IS being tipped to improve further for Manchester United once clear of injury, with Paul Scholes seeing greater freedom bring the best out of him.
The France international had been in impressive form prior to being forced onto the sidelines with a hamstring problem.
No date has been set for his return, with United still hoping that the 24-year-old can avoid the need for surgery.
Whenever he is ready, Scholes believes that the all-action midfielder will continue to benefit from the presence of Nemanja Matic in an ever-improving United team.
The Red Devils legend told reporters at the Premier Futsal tournament in Dubai: “Obviously before his injury you could see United were winning, and winning quite comfortably.
“I think the addition of Matic has helped him and given him that bit of freedom – he’s scored a couple of goals already and a couple of assists.
He’s playing well and hopefully his injury is not as serious as it could be.
“They have been talking possibly about an operation but hopefully that’s not the case and he’ll be back soon.
Last season was tough for him but there was always going to be a settling-in period.
“There were two or three other players along with him who took a little while to settle down.
With Matic coming in this year and the other players a year down the road I think we’ll see the improvement.”
Pogba, who was named United’s Player of the Month for August, has netted two goals and provided two assists this season.
Jose Mourinho has moved to rule out any suggestion that he could be out of action for up to 12 weeks, but it is unclear whether he will be ready for a return after the upcoming international break, with United set to face arch-rivals Liverpool at Anfield on October 14.
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He ran around for 120 minutes? No chance.
He barely broke into a jog. He looked like one of those “Couch to 5km” people.
Light jog – walk – stand and catch breath- light jog – walk – stand and catch breath- walk- take penalty-miss-smile-hit back at critics.
Most overrated player in history!!
Easy lads, the poor guy only gets 120,000 sterling a week. Go easy on him
If you had every runner take a penalty right after crossing the finish line of the Dublin City Marathon, the vast majority would still hit the target. I like the guy when I see him interviewed, but too often he doesn’t seem arsed on the pitch
That man is impersonating a professional footballer
Guy is a disgrace to his profession. He didn’t lift a leg on Thursday night and actually laughed after he skyed the penalty.
I’m not even a Spurs fan and yet he incenses me.