Paul Pogba's summer break means Manchester United will have a fresh and exciting player on their hands this season, says Phil Neville Paul Pogba's summer break means Manchester United will have a fresh and exciting player on their hands this season, says Phil Neville

Paul Pogba's summer break means Manchester United will have a fresher player on their hands this season, says Phil Neville.

United forked out a record breaking £89million for the midfielder last summer, but he struggled at times to live up to expectations.

Pogba made 51 appearances for United across all competitions and scored nine goals as Jose Mourinho's team won the EFL Cup and Europa League.

Neville is excited to watch Pogba improve in his second season and has outlined reasons to why he thinks the Frenchman will be more productive for Mourinho's men.

Paul Pogba and Jose Mourinho during a first-team training session

Speaking at the launch of Soccer Saturday Super 6's sponsorship of Salford City FC, Neville said: "Pogba came in on the back of a World Cup last season - he didn't have much rest.

"Obviously, the price tag was a massive burden on him. I think United will be getting a fresher Pogba this season, especially as he's got one year of the Premier League under his belt.

"He'll know more about what's required and we'll see big things from him. He's the player I'm most excited about. If he takes a game by the scruff of the neck, he can be as good as the best midfielders in the world."

A fresh Paul Pogba should improve his performances from last season, says Phil Neville

Pogba has admitted himself that his first season was affected by a rushed pre-season after making the Euro 2016 final with France.

United ended up finishing sixth in the Premier League as injuries to players like Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic took their toll on the squad in the final few months of the season. Much more is expected of Mourinho's team in the Premier League this year in what is set to be another gripping title race.

Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku look forward to the new season as the new striker says he wants the team to perform even better than last season Paul Pogba and Romelu Lukaku look forward to the new season as the new striker says he wants the team to perform even better than last season

Gary Neville will be following the story from start to finish with Sky Sports and he's outlined which players he's most looking forward to watching next season.

He said: "The players I like watching are Dele Alli, Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford and the City front players like Leroy Sane, Kevin de Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus - I think they're fantastic. The potential there is incredible."