Paul Pogba’s world-record transfer to Manchester Unitedis already money well spent, according to his manager, Jose Mourinho, who claims that it is only a matter of time before the £89.3 million investment in the French international last summer will appear “cheap”.

The 23-year-old turned in another impressive performance in United’s 3-0 Europa League win over St-Étienne in midweek to earn further praise from his manager who longs for Pogba to rid himself of the title of the world’s most expensive player he earned when he arrived from Juventus.

“I think he has phenomenal conditions but I think the scrutiny on him is hard, is difficult,” said Mourinho. “But that’s the price of being who he is and is also the price of his price.

“I am pretty sure that next summer some players with only half his quality probably will cost the same money or more so I am waiting for that moment to release him from the scrutiny.

“I think in a couple of years you will realise he was cheap but I have to admit that not many clubs have this vision of anticipation of what can happen in the near future.