Manchester United need Paul Pogba to deliver ‘cameo of brilliance’ to win title, says Gary Neville

The French midfielder was a midweek match-winner for United

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba (Getty Images)

Paul Pogba is the man who can make the difference between Manchester United having a good season and a title-winning one, in the opinion of Gary Neville.

World Cup-winner Pogba has not always been a guaranteed starter this season for the Red Devils, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer benching him at times earlier in the campaign.

But a return to form and fitness has seen Pogba play an influential role recently, scoring the winner at Burnley during the week and going close to doing so again at Anfield on Sunday in an eventual 0-0 draw.

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Former United right-back Neville says United aren’t likely to lift the title, despite sitting top of the table at almost the midway point - unless the No. 6 embarks on a remarkable run of form.

“I think Manchester United's chances of winning this league are slim - Liverpool and Man City are still the best two teams in this league,” he said on the Gary Neville Podcast.

"But the slim chance they have to win this league will depend on something like Paul Pogba delivering a cameo of two or three months of brilliance, which he is capable of.

“He's got confidence, he's got arrogance - good arrogance, in a sense that he believes in himself. He thinks he should be playing in the biggest games in the world, and winning titles, and thinking positive thoughts, thinking you're the best is a big thing when you're looking to win.”

The self-belief Pogba has is lacking in other parts of the squad, says Neville, which is a huge squad characteristic needed to land the major honours.

“Just in that last 20 minutes, I felt United just had that little bit of missing belief. It's not a long way away, but that's the bit that will stop them winning the title.”

United are two points clear at the top, but Man City have a game in hand and are on a five-match win streak. Champions Liverpool are fourth, a further point back, with Leicester in third.