Andy Townsend believes Manchester United record signing Paul Pogba is a throwback midfielder.
The France international’s role in the Red Devils team has been the source of relentless debate over the past few weeks.
Pogba has struggled alongside Nemanja Matic in the Manchester United midfielder to prompt criticism of the 24-year-old from his manager.
Indeed, Jose Mourinho prematurely substituted Pogba during Manchester United’s losses at Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur.
The record signing has been linked with a potential move to La Liga giants Real Madrid in recent weeks amid talk of a fallout with Mourinho.
However, former Chelsea FC defender Townsend believes Pogba is one of a rare breed of midfielders.
“I actually think Pogba is one of very few who can do everything,” Townsend told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“He is a little bit of a throwback. We are in a era where people want to label Pogba as something in particular.”
Manchester United signed Pogba in a club record £89m deal from Serie A giants Juventus in the 2016 summer transfer window.
The France midfielder won the Europa League and the League Cup in his first season back at Old Trafford.
Indeed, Pogba scored in Manchester United’s 2-0 victory over Dutch giants Ajax in the Europa League final in Stockholm.