Manchester United only have a slim chance of winning the Premier League title this season, believes Gary Neville, and their hopes rest on the shoulders of Paul Pogba.
The Red Devils are top of the Premier League table after their goalless draw with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday afternoon.
It was a good result for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, holding the champions at bay and keeping top spot from their rivals.
However, some players were left disappointed by the draw as Pogba and Bruno Fernandes missed good chances to win the contest in the second half.
Neville believes United are missing a bit of inspiration that will take them from the contenders they currently are into Premier League champions.
However, the former Red Devils man feels they have a player at their disposal who can transform them into title-winners, and that man is Pogba.
‘I think Manchester United’s chances of winning this league are slim – Liverpool and Man City are still the best two teams in this league,’ Neville said on his Sky Sports podcast.
‘But the slim chance they have to win this league will depend on something like Paul Pogba delivering a cameo of two or three months of brilliance, which he is capable of.
‘He’s got confidence, he’s got arrogance – good arrogance, in a sense that he believes in himself.
‘He thinks he should be playing in the biggest games in the world, and winning titles, and thinking positive thoughts, thinking you’re the best is a big thing when you’re looking to win.
‘Just in that last 20 minutes, I felt United just had that little bit of missing belief. It’s not a long way away, but that’s the bit that will stop them winning the title.’
Pogba has been in good form of late and played well at Anfield on Sunday, but his missed opportunity will be haunting him, with a crucial three points on the line.
The Frenchman drilled a close-range shot straight at Alisson Becker in the Liverpool goal, who made the save.
Former United captain Roy Keane could scarcely believe that Pogba didn’t find the back of the net.
‘When you get these opportunities like Pogba did there… I’m so disappointed,’ said Keane on Sky Sports after the game.
‘Because we’ve been giving Pogba a bit of a big build-up, we’ve been quick to criticise him [in the past], but that was a moment there for him to say… listen, if you want to be the main man you’ve got to take that chance.’
He continued: ‘You can tell by his reaction. His first touch is excellent, but oh my goodness. Has to score!’
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