JOSE: POGBA CHEAP AT £89m

JOSE MOURINHO has predicted Paul Pogba’s £89million world-record transfer fee will be broken this summer and that the Frenchman will be ‘released’ by no longer rating as the world’s most expensive player.

Pogba’s form has improved after he initially struggled following his high-profile move from Juventus. He has scored seven goals for United in addition to hitting the woodwork eight times.

Mourinho believes the transfer fees will continue to inflate and Pogba (right) will be viewed as a bargain in the long-term.

‘I think in a couple of years you will realise he was cheap. A few years ago £25m was a phenomenal player, now £25m is not even a player, it is a prospect of a player,’ he said.

‘I think next summer can bring a few surprises at this level and probably Paul will lose this status as the world’s most expensive player which will probably be a good thing.

‘I am pretty sure that next summer some players with only half his quality will probably cost the same money or more so I am waiting for that moment to release him from the scrutiny. ‘The most important thing for him is not to lose that happiness. He is still very young, he can be fantastic.’ Mourinho has to balance his team selections with three cup games coming up in the next week. United face Blackburn in the FA Cup fifth round today, travel to Saint-Etienne on Wednesday holding a 3-0 first-leg lead in the Europa League and then face Southampton next Sunday in the League Cup final.

Meanwhile Mourinho insists defender Luke Shaw will be given a chance to prove he deserves a long-term future at Old Trafford.

Shaw has started only six Premier League games under Mourinho this season but asked directly if the 21-year-old would be at United for the long haul, Mourinho replied: ‘He will be for sure. It (leaving) is out of the question.’