Jose Mourinho says that Paul Pogba is on the same level as Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar

The Manchester United manager has been delighted with Pogba's performances ahead of the new season and has insisted that he is one of the very best players in the world

Paul Pogba in action against Lionel Messi (Manchester United) (Manchester United)

Jose Mourinho has declared that Paul Pogba is showing that he is one of the best players in the world.

The French midfielder featured for United in their pre-season friendly against Barcelona, and put in another solid midfield performance despite defeat.

Barcelona secured a 1-0 win with a first-half goal from Neymar, who capitalised on United full back Antonio Valencia's mistake in the 31st minute to score from close range.

But after the match Mourinho said that he was happy with his team’s progress, adding that he was particularly impressed with Pogba, who he believes is one of the best players in the world.

“Lionel) Messi and Neymar, there is only one; there is not two. (Luis) Suarez, (Andres) Iniesta, (Gerard) Pique, (Cristiano) Ronaldo, (Gareth) Bale, (Luka) Modric, Toni Kroos; there is only one so they can only play for one club, not for two clubs,” said Mourinho.

“We can't have them, they belong to the clubs. But I have to say that Paul Pogba showed the level... he showed he belongs to that level.”

United spent a world-record £89m to sign Paul Pogba from Juventus last summer, although Mourinho commented earlier into the club’s tour this summer that he believes the fee was money well spent.

“I always thought the problem is not what you pay for these kind of (top) players, I don't think the problem is what you pay for Pogba, I don't think the problem is going to pay crazy for Neymar,” he said.

“I think the problem is with the other group which is a big group because players like Pogba, there is one or two (big) transfers (like that) per transfer window. The other ones are where you have 100 transfers and for me that is the dangerous area of the market.

“Some clubs are paying or they don't buy because they don't accept the numbers that are now ruling the market, or to do it they have to go the same levels and for me that's what worries me a little bit because now we speak about £30million, £40million, £50million in such an easy way.”