Mourinho says Pogba on Messi and Ronaldo’s level

Daniel Storey

Jose Mourinho has poured praise on Paul Pogba after his performance in the 1-0 defeat to Barcelona.

Mourinho criticised Man United’s defending, which again looked suspect, but reserved the most praise for the midfield performance of Pogba.

The United manager said that players such as Lionel Messi, Neymar and Cristiano Ronaldo are cherished by their clubs, but that he has a player on the same level.

“Messi and Neymar, there is only one: one Messi and one Neymar, there are not two,” Mourinho said.

“And Suarez, (Andres) Iniesta, (Gerard) Pique, and (Cristiano) Ronaldo, (Gareth) Bale, (Luka) Modric and Toni Kroos – there is only one, so they can only be playing for a club and not for two clubs.

“We can’t have them, they belong to the clubs. Even as an opponent on the bench like I am, it is beautiful to see a few guys their relation with the ball.

“But I have to say one of my players today, Paul Pogba, he showed the level. He showed that he belongs to that level.”