Jamie Redknapp says it would have been a “travesty” if Paul Pogba had left Manchester United, with the World Cup winner flourishing under the guidance of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Pogba’s days at Old Trafford looked numbered after a high-profile falling out with Jose Mourinho, but since the Portuguese’s axing in December the midfielder has notched nine goals in 12 games.
And former Liverpool midfielder Redknapp says Pogba’s transformation has come as no surprise to him, after being made a “scapegoat” during Mourinho’s tenure.
Speaking exclusively to talkSPORT ahead of Sunday’s crunch clash at Old Trafford, Redknapp said: “I’m not surprised at his transformation – he’s an incredible talent.
“I’m really enjoying watching him and I think he’s great for the game.
“I never once wanted him to leave Manchester United. That would have been a travesty for the Premier League.
“A lot of people were calling for that and that was not something that sat well with me.”
He continued: “Under the previous manager a lot of players didn’t respond to his methods, it wasn’t just Pogba. But he was the easy target and become the scapegoat.
“With someone like Paul Pogba you’ve got to give him a licence to go forward and make things happen.
“Under Mourinho he wasn’t able to do that, nor were the likes of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.
“The fact Pogba was a substitute the last time these two teams met was just incredible.
“Now Pogba is happy and enjoying his football. That’s why we’re seeing the real Paul Pogba now and before we weren’t.”
Redknapp, who scored 30 goals in 237 appearances over an 11-year spell at Liverpool, said he wouldn’t have fancied battling it out in the centre of the park with the enigmatic Frenchman during his playing days.
He continued: “Would I have liked to have played against Paul Pogba? No chance.
“He’s powerful, he’s quick, he gets into the box and scores goals.
“He’s a top class midfielder who can run games by himself – he’s that good.”
Jamie Redknapp was speaking on behalf of TAG Heuer, Official Timekeeping Partner of the Premier League to promote the TAG Heuer Premier League Pressure Test.