Why Pogba Is Similar to Charlton

Manchester United legend Paddy Crerand has admitted there are similarities in Paul Pogba's approach to his former Old Trafford team-mate Sir Bobby Charlton.

The France international returned to the team in the EFL Cup semi-final first leg win against Hull City and was desperately unlucky not to score when his free-kick hit a post. It was the seventh time he has hit the woodwork this term, which is a tally matched only by Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne.

Crerand is an excellent judge of a footballer and, of course, gets to witness the current first-team players at close hand in his role as a commentator at MUTV. Pogba's superb form has impressed the 1968 European Cup winner, both with his attitude and confidence in the middle of the park.

"Paul Pogba is just a special player," Paddy explained in his column for United Review, the official match programme at Old Trafford. "He is one of those kids that demand the ball all the time. Sometimes, if things don’t go right, one or two might hide for a little spell but he wants it constantly.

"You know who was the same? Bobby Charlton. If he made a mistake, he still wanted it. Others might go into their shell for a bit but he never would. Paul’s the same and I think he’s fantastic."