‘Paul can be a fantastic player, he has the potential’
PAUL Pogba will start for United in their final Champions League group game against Valencia.
The midfielder started on the bench for the second match running in their 4-1 stroll over Fulham and remained an unused substitute as Jose Mourinho introduced Scott McTominay late on.
United travel to Spain today ahead of tomorrow night’s meeting with Valencia at the Mestalla, where Mourinho has promised to rotate the squad ahead of the encounter with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday, since United have already qualified for the round-of-16.
Liverpool have to beat Napoli to progress in their tie tonight and Mourinho is planning on protecting players from fatigue in midweek.
“We need to rest players,” Mourinho told MUTV.
“These last two matches against Arsenal and Fulham was really strong. We go to Valencia, there are some that need to rest, some need to play. A question of trust and a question of justice too.
“So if I say [Sergio] Romero plays, or he deserves to play, if I say a kid that is working like a tiger and is not playing much like Andreas Pereira is going to have a start, I’m going to make changes in the team because we have qualified.
“Paul can be a fantastic player, he has the potential to be a fantastic player. Against Valencia he is going to start and have a fantastic football game to play and to show everybody how good he is.”
Romero’s only previous appearance was in the Carabao Cup defeat to Derby in September, while Pereira is set to make his first start since August. CRISTIANO Ronaldo insists United are still the ‘top team’ in England despite their poor start to the new season.
The Reds currently sit 16 points off Liverpool in the Premier League and have already tasted defeat to City once this season.
However, Ronaldo believes his former side still represent the pinnacle of English football regardless of their current showing under Jose Mourinho.
While Liverpool and City lead the way in the Premier League this season, Ronaldo believes United are the best side in England, comparing them to Juventus and Real Madrid in their dominance.
“Juve are different to everyone else in many ways, even in the way they treat me,” he said.
“Small details make a big difference.
“However, I prefer to emphasise similarities. Manchester United, Real and Juve are the top teams in their respective countries, but here the roads are divided.
“Italian teams, for example, tend to defend more on the field, while things are much more relaxed away from football in Spain.
“In Italy, the concentration, dedication and commitment are greater. At the end of the day, the level is similar.”
It comes as no surprise Ronaldo has already established himself as a key figure during his short spell in Turin, but the forward revealed he could have joined other clubs in the summer.
The United favourite added: “I had several offers to leave Madrid.
“I’ll never say which ones.”