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Gary Neville compares struggling Manchester United star Paul Pogba to his former teammate Juan Sebastian Veron

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Gary Neville compares Paul Pogba to one of Sir Alex Ferguson's worst Man Utd signings — Manchester United paid £24.3million for Juan Sebastian Veron back in 2001 (Picture: Getty)

Gary Neville has compared the plight of Paul Pogba to that of his former Manchester United teammate Juan Sebastian Veron.

Sir Alex Ferguson made Veron the most expensive player in English football when he paid Lazio £24.3million back in 2001, but the mercurial Argentine midfielder showed only glimpses of his best form.

The most successful manager in United’s history struggled to find a formation that brought out the best in Veron without impacting adversely on the likes of Paul Scholes and eventually sold him to Chelsea after two underwhelming seasons.

Jose Mourinho has encountered similar difficulties with Pogba who was again dropped from the starting line-up as United drew 0-0 with Sevilla in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.

‘I think he’s better when he’s free when he isn’t disciplined,’ Neville told Sky Sports Super Six.

Jose Mourinho of Manchester United speask to Paul Pogba — Paul Pogba was dropped in midweek for the Champions League game against Sevilla (Picture: Getty)

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‘I remember when Veron came to United and played alongside Scholes, and while they were free there was a structure to what they did.

‘If Scholes went forward Veron would sit, and if Verson went forward Scholes would. So when Veron came it changed the midfield.

‘Pogba reminds me very much of Veron in the way he reads and sees the game. My view is you have to pick him to his strengths and if you play him in midfield you have to accept he won’t always be where you want him to be.

‘I think he is better in a three in midfield. My view is United knew what they were getting when they signed him, and ultimately you have to play him to his strengths.’