Despite notching a goal and an assist after his return to Premier League football having missed 7 games through injury, Paul Pogba did not impress Eamon Dunphy against Newcastle at the weekend.
Pogba was widely praised for providing the spark that Mourinho's men had been clearly missing in his absence, but speaking on Monday's episode of 'Game On' on 2FM, Eamon Dunphy revealed that he was no so impressed.
Dismissing Pogba's performance because it came against Newcastle, the veteran RTE pundit claimed that he - and Man Utd as a collective - could get a rude awakening when they have to face Manchester United next month.
They will always beat the Newcastles and the less important teams, but will they beat any of the big teams?
We will soon know when they play Manchester City. Not really impressed by them. Pogba did okay for the first goal. But it's saying something that he manages to beat one man, get a decent cross over and the hype starts again.
A top player who cost as much as he cost wouldn't just have to do that to be acclaimed. I don't think Pogba makes a great deal of difference and we will see when they play the good teams. I don't think Man United are contenders.
At this stage of the season, Dunphy can't see past Pep Guardiola's men for the Premier League title. What they did to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge was very impressive. I can see them ripping Man United to shreds.
The suggestion that a 'top player' wouldn't have to make an immediate and noticeable impact on his team in order to be praised is an odd one, as is claiming that all he did in the game was beat one man and provide a cross.
Manchester United are clearly a better team with Pogba in the side, that much was true last season even when his performances were not nearly as good as they have been in this campaign.
That said, Manchester City will provide the sternest of tests for Jose Mourinho and if Paul Pogba fails to produce in that game he will have to put up with a tremendous amount of stick...
And you get the feeling that Dunphy will be first in line.
