Keane: Man Utd star missed ‘moment to be the main man’

Roy Keane was disappointed to see Paul Pogba miss a late chance for Man Utd as they were held to a goalless draw at Anfield on Sunday.

The France international has been in good form recently after coming under increasing criticism over the way his agent, Mino Raiola, has handled talk about his future.

He performed well again in the second half as Man Utd pushed for a winning goal with Pogba having the best chance to seal the game.

MAILBOX: Liverpool 0-0 Manchester United: The Mailbox

Despite working it nicely with his first touch, Pogba could only hit his shot straight at Alisson and Keane was frustrated that he didn’t do better.

Keane said on Sky Sports: “You can tell by his (Pogba’s) reaction. The first touch is excellent but oh my God. He has to score. Go across the goalkeeper, he can do that (looking at the defender).

“His first touch was so good, he’s given himself the opportunity to go across. But credit to the goalkeeper, he stood up and made himself big. That was the chance you were praying for before the game.

“You can’t say Liverpool are playing badly but they’ve lost their spark. When you get opportunities like Pogba’s, (you must be) so disappointed. We gave him a big build-up and that was the moment for him to be the main man, you have to take that chance. I won’t be too critical of United.”

Fellow Sky Sports pundit Micah Richards was glowing in his praise for Pogba but he wants to see him perform in more big games.

Richards said: “I know he’s been inconsistent in a Man United jersey but when he’s playing at his best, he’s United’s best midfielder. He can create, against Burnley you saw him in a role where he did do the nasty stuff. He could do the nice skills and stuff like that. It comes naturally to him.

“I’ve been a massive fan of him. He needs to do it more often but this is going to determine how big a player he is. This is the biggest game for Man United. To be a hero and get legendary status, you have to turn up in big games. He’s not done that enough.

“I’ve played against him on numerous occasions. He ran rings around me – Roy said that’s not hard. I do believe – everyone’s talking about Fernandes – Pogba’s had just as much influence by receiving balls in tight areas, not playing easy balls. I think he can get to that world class tag because he’s got so much”