Pogba is a safe bet for Ballon d’Or says Martial

ANTHONY Martial is convinced that his Manchester United team-mate Paul Pogba is a future Ballon d’Or winner.

Pogba was the world’s most expensive player until Neymar joined Paris St Germain from Barcelona in a world record £200.6 million transfer earlier this month.

The 24-year-old France midfielder had a mixed first season after returning to United from Juventus in a then-world record £89m deal in August 2016.

But Pogba has impressed at the start of the new campaign as United have set the early Premier League pace.

Pogba scored in the 4-0 wins against West Ham and Swansea after being given added freedom following the summer acquisition of Nemanja Matic.

“I would say he is probably the best midfield player in the world,” United winger Martial said.

“Paul is very mentally strong and he is very sure of himself.

“He is a big guy, he is very technical on the ball and he has l ots of endurance.

“He is still young, too, so he has a lot to work on and he can get even better.

“If he continues to play and improve like he is doing then I think he is also going to win the Ballon d’Or award in the next five years.”

Meanwhile, Luke Shaw and Ashley Young returned from long-term injury as Manchester United’s Under23s drew 1-1 with Swansea.

Left-back Shaw sustained ligament damage in his foot at the end of April.

Versatile Young, injured days later, had been expected to be laid low by his groin injury until October, but both returned last night.

Josh Meekings