Michael Carrick has only just been handed the armband at Manchester United, but he believes Paul Pogba has the ability to lead the side forward.

He was the natural choice to succeed Wayne Rooney as skipper as the longest serving player in Jose Mourinho’s squad, with the ability to motivate the players around him.

His appointment is only believed to be short-term as the 35-year-old enters the latter stages of his career, with only one more season guaranteed ahead of him at Old Trafford.

Speaking about the club’s next captain, Carrick sees Pogba as the ideal fit.

“He’s certainly got the presence, character and belief to pull it off,” he said. “All the time I’m sure the manager is planning a long way behind me, for someone to take on that mantle and he’s probably in that bracket where you’d say – ‘yeah, he can be a future captain’.

Carrick understands he won’t be in Mourinho’s squad on a weekly basis, which would mean the captaincy is likely to be spread around the squad.

Antonio Valencia, Ander Herrera and David de Gea will all be contenders for the role, and although it’s still early for Pogba, Carrick believes he still deserves a shot.

He’s emerged as the marquee player in a United squad and there’s no doubting the fact that he has the talent to become an incredibly influential player at the club, which is why Carrick wants him to take on that responsibility.