Ryan Giggs has an old school solution to Manchester United's issue with Paul Pogba.

Give him a good kicking!

Sitting at the top of Hotel Football in Manchester and looking down on Old Trafford, a genuine United legend delivers his verdict on a man who has everything in his make-up to be an icon to a whole new generation of fans.

The problem is, Pogba says he's ready for a new challenge, just three years into his second spell at the club and having failed to spark the resurgence since his then-world record £89m move from Juventus was intended to.

His declaration this summer that he wants to leave United has cast a shadow over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's planned revival and added an air of uncertainty to what has been a critical window.

Giggs believes it has already left supporters divided – but as for the players, the 45-year-old says there is only one way the France international would have been dealt with during his day.

"Kick him in training," he says, without any sense of irony. "But that doesn't happen anymore.

"You are starting to lose that. Now I'm not saying you kick everyone. But that was how (Cristiano) Ronaldo got better.

"Scholesy would kick him if he took too many touches. And suddenly it clicked that you can't keep dribbling or else I'm going to get kicked.

"I saw an interview with (Vincent) Kompany at the end of the season. And he's a bit old school.

"He was asked about the week ahead of last game at Brighton and he said 'Sometimes I have to give a player a kick!' And I was thinking City might miss that this year."

Giggs is flanked by his former United teammate and co-owner of Salford City FC Phil Neville.

Fellow Class of 92 graduates Gary Neville, Paul Scholes and David Beckham have equal share in the newly-promoted League Two club, who are celebrating a five-year sponsorship with TalkTalk.

All are still United fans at heart and recognise the challenge ahead of Solskjaer to close the gap to Manchester City and Liverpool this season.

Most encouraging for Giggs and Neville has been a return to the traditions of club, established by Sir Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson.

If Solskjaer is to be a success, having Pogba at the heart of his team is vital, says Neville.

"I think Paul's got to play a part in that culture change," he says. "It will help him. He is one of the senior players, a World Cup winner, won Serie A with Juventus, he is one of the senior players.

"He was there as a kid he saw the culture at the time, so now he's got to decide, if he is a footballer with United, he's got to be part of this culture change to win.

"He wants to win, he wants to be the best, no doubt about that. And he has probably got to set the example more than anyone else."

Giggs believes the 26-year-old has bridges to build with supporters.

In Pictures | Man Utd's 10 most expensive signings 11 show all In Pictures | Man Utd's 10 most expensive signings 1/11 Manchester United could break their transfer record again this summer.



But who is the current club record signing? Scroll through for the top 10... Getty Images 2/11 10 Name: Victor Lindelof

From: Benfica

Fee: £31m Getty Images 3/11 9 Name: Juan Mata

From: Chelsea

Fee: £37m Manchester United via Getty Imag 4/11 8 Name: Nemanja Matic

From: Chelsea

Fee: £40m Manchester United via Getty Imag 5/11 7 Name: Anthony Martial

From: AS Monaco

Fee: £44.6m



*fee rose from £36m after clause was triggered in October 2018 Manchester United via Getty Imag 6/11 6 Name: Aaron Wan-Bissaka

From: Crystal Palace



Fee: £50m Manchester United via Getty Imag 7/11 5 Name: Fred

From: Shakhtar Donetsk

Fee: £52m Manchester United via Getty Imag 8/11 4 Name: Angel di Maria

From: Real Madrid

Fee: £59.7m AFP/Getty Images 9/11 3 Name: Romelu Lukaku

From: Everton

Fee: £75m Getty Images 10/11 2 Name: Harry Maguire

From: Leicester City

Fee: £80m Getty Images 11/11 1 Name: Paul Pogba

From: Juventus

Fee: £89m Manchester United via Getty Imag 1/11 Manchester United could break their transfer record again this summer.



But who is the current club record signing? Scroll through for the top 10... Getty Images 2/11 10 Name: Victor Lindelof

From: Benfica

Fee: £31m Getty Images 3/11 9 Name: Juan Mata

From: Chelsea

Fee: £37m Manchester United via Getty Imag 4/11 8 Name: Nemanja Matic

From: Chelsea

Fee: £40m Manchester United via Getty Imag 5/11 7 Name: Anthony Martial

From: AS Monaco

Fee: £44.6m



*fee rose from £36m after clause was triggered in October 2018 Manchester United via Getty Imag 6/11 6 Name: Aaron Wan-Bissaka

From: Crystal Palace



Fee: £50m Manchester United via Getty Imag 7/11 5 Name: Fred

From: Shakhtar Donetsk

Fee: £52m Manchester United via Getty Imag 8/11 4 Name: Angel di Maria

From: Real Madrid

Fee: £59.7m AFP/Getty Images 9/11 3 Name: Romelu Lukaku

From: Everton

Fee: £75m Getty Images 10/11 2 Name: Harry Maguire

From: Leicester City

Fee: £80m Getty Images 11/11 1 Name: Paul Pogba

From: Juventus

Fee: £89m Manchester United via Getty Imag

"I think the fans are split," he adds. "Some fans say 'let him go,' some fans recognise the quality he has got and that if he does go there will be a big void.

"If you get rid of all the players and you haven't got quality to replace them then that is difficult as well. So it is a tough job for Ole that balancing act.

"Cristiano Ronaldo said he wanted to go and then did an extra year. Whether that is going to happen or not I don't know."

Both Giggs and Neville have been a part of the managerial merry-go-round at United that's followed Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.

Assistants to Louis van Gaal and David Moyes, respectively, they have witnessed first-hand the challenges of trying to return the club to the summit of English football.

Along with Jose Mourinho, three established managers have come up short and paid the price over a six-year period without the title.

In pictures | The defeats that cost Jose Mourinho his Man United job 9 show all In pictures | The defeats that cost Jose Mourinho his Man United job 1/9 Seven defeats and a penalty shootout loss have cost Jose Mourinho his job at Manchester United AFP/Getty Images 2/9 Brighton 3 Manchester United 2 August 19 Getty Images 3/9 Manchester United 0 Tottenham 3 August 27 Getty Images 4/9 Manchester United 2 Derby County 2 (Derby win 8-7 on penalties)

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Man Utd via Getty Images 5/9 West Ham 3 Manchester United 1 September 29 West Ham United via Getty Images 6/9 Manchester United 0 Juventus 1 Getty Images 7/9 Manchester City 3 Manchester United 1 AFP/Getty Images 8/9 Valencia 2 Manchester United 1 AFP/Getty Images 9/9 Liverpool 3 Manchester United 1 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 1/9 Seven defeats and a penalty shootout loss have cost Jose Mourinho his job at Manchester United AFP/Getty Images 2/9 Brighton 3 Manchester United 2 August 19 Getty Images 3/9 Manchester United 0 Tottenham 3 August 27 Getty Images 4/9 Manchester United 2 Derby County 2 (Derby win 8-7 on penalties)

September 25

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Solskjaer represents a very different direction – unproven and unheralded.

So why should he have any more joy turning United's fortunes around?

"The difference with Ole is, the past is a big weight on the back of everybody that goes out there," says Neville. "Everyone compares the style and the way that they play football. When Ole came in, we thought we'd got our United back.

"What Ole is doing is stamping his authority on the team, but playing a style of football that the fans want to come and watch.

"Maybe from a club point of view and maybe from the players' point of view the focus may not have been 100 percent on football in the past. Now it has to be or else it will be seven years until United win the league, eight years. You can see it getting longer and longer because City, Liverpool, Chelsea, they are all improving.

"If you saw the Community Shield (City v Liverpool), I think that is the level we need to get back to. That level of quality, intensity, level of system, that level.

In Pictures | Liverpool vs Man City, Community Shield | 04/08/2019 68 show all In Pictures | Liverpool vs Man City, Community Shield | 04/08/2019 1/68 AFP/Getty Images 2/68 Getty Images 3/68 Action Images via Reuters 4/68 REUTERS 5/68 Action Images via Reuters 6/68 Action Images via Reuters 7/68 AP 8/68 AP 9/68 AFP/Getty Images 10/68 Getty Images 11/68 Getty Images 12/68 Getty Images 13/68 Getty Images 14/68 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 15/68 AFP/Getty Images 16/68 Getty Images 17/68 AFP/Getty Images 18/68 Getty Images 19/68 Getty Images 20/68 Getty Images 21/68 Getty Images 22/68 Getty Images 23/68 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 24/68 Getty Images 25/68 AFP/Getty Images 26/68 AFP/Getty Images 27/68 AFP/Getty Images 28/68 Getty Images 29/68 AFP/Getty Images 30/68 Getty Images 31/68 AFP/Getty Images 32/68 Getty Images 33/68 AFP/Getty Images 34/68 AFP/Getty Images 35/68 Getty Images 36/68 AFP/Getty Images 37/68 Getty Images 38/68 AFP/Getty Images 39/68 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 40/68 Getty Images 41/68 AFP/Getty Images 42/68 Getty Images 43/68 Getty Images 44/68 AFP/Getty Images 45/68 Getty Images 46/68 Getty Images 47/68 Action Images via Reuters 48/68 Action Images via Reuters 49/68 Getty Images 50/68 Getty Images 51/68 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 52/68 Getty Images 53/68 Action Images via Reuters 54/68 Action Images via Reuters 55/68 PA 56/68 Action Images via Reuters 57/68 PA 58/68 AFP/Getty Images 59/68 Getty Images 60/68 Getty Images 61/68 Getty Images 62/68 Getty Images 63/68 Getty Images 64/68 Getty Images 65/68 Getty Images 66/68 Getty Images 67/68 Getty Images 68/68 Getty Images 1/68 AFP/Getty Images 2/68 Getty Images 3/68 Action Images via Reuters 4/68 REUTERS 5/68 Action Images via Reuters 6/68 Action Images via Reuters 7/68 AP 8/68 AP 9/68 AFP/Getty Images 10/68 Getty Images 11/68 Getty Images 12/68 Getty Images 13/68 Getty Images 14/68 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 15/68 AFP/Getty Images 16/68 Getty Images 17/68 AFP/Getty Images 18/68 Getty Images 19/68 Getty Images 20/68 Getty Images 21/68 Getty Images 22/68 Getty Images 23/68 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 24/68 Getty Images 25/68 AFP/Getty Images 26/68 AFP/Getty Images 27/68 AFP/Getty Images 28/68 Getty Images 29/68 AFP/Getty Images 30/68 Getty Images 31/68 AFP/Getty Images 32/68 Getty Images 33/68 AFP/Getty Images 34/68 AFP/Getty Images 35/68 Getty Images 36/68 AFP/Getty Images 37/68 Getty Images 38/68 AFP/Getty Images 39/68 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 40/68 Getty Images 41/68 AFP/Getty Images 42/68 Getty Images 43/68 Getty Images 44/68 AFP/Getty Images 45/68 Getty Images 46/68 Getty Images 47/68 Action Images via Reuters 48/68 Action Images via Reuters 49/68 Getty Images 50/68 Getty Images 51/68 Liverpool FC via Getty Images 52/68 Getty Images 53/68 Action Images via Reuters 54/68 Action Images via Reuters 55/68 PA 56/68 Action Images via Reuters 57/68 PA 58/68 AFP/Getty Images 59/68 Getty Images 60/68 Getty Images 61/68 Getty Images 62/68 Getty Images 63/68 Getty Images 64/68 Getty Images 65/68 Getty Images 66/68 Getty Images 67/68 Getty Images 68/68 Getty Images

"I don't think we are quite at it, but from what I have seen in pre-season I think you have seen the direction he wants to go – fast, attacking, a spirit, a system."

Giggs adds: "(Jurgen) Klopp wasn't brilliant overnight, but I think what you've seen from Klopp is improvement every year.

"It was a gradual improvement and I think as a United fan that's what you want to see. Not saying we're going to win the league this year, but if you start seeing improvements and a shift of culture with players you want to go and watch.

"We all want Ole to be successful, but even if he isn't, I think he will leave the club in a better state than when he took over, which in itself is a job.

"In two or three years' time some of these players are going to be top, top players. They are already good players, but in a few years they will be top players.

"Whether Ole is going to be successful in that time I don't know, but introducing players like (Mason) Greenwood and (Tahith) Chong will stand the club in good stead."

Even at 17, Greenwood looks like a readymade star.

Solskjaer has hinted he is ready to start the forward in the opening game of the season against Chelsea on Sunday – but a role on the bench seems more likely.

Giggs was a teenage sensation himself – and despite his excitement over Greenwood's potential, it's clear he doesn't want to place undue pressure on his shoulders.

"I like Greenwood, but playing centre forward for Man United every week is a different thing." He says. "I think we will see a lot of him this season because he is such a talent.

"Every time I see him I like him but he is still very young and learning the game.

In Pictures | Man Utd's summer transfer business 11 show all In Pictures | Man Utd's summer transfer business 1/11 Man Utd's summer business Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has mostly looked to strengthen his squad with young, British players this summer. Getty Images 2/11 IN - Harry Maguire (Leicester, £80m) Manchester United via Getty Imag 3/11 IN - Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Crystal Palace, £50m) Getty Images 4/11 IN - Daniel James (Swansea, £22m) AFP/Getty Images 5/11 OUT - Ander Herrera (PSG, free) Getty Images 6/11 OUT - Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan, £73m) Manchester United via Getty Imag 7/11 OUT - Antonio Valencia (LDU Quito, free) AFP/Getty Images 8/11 OUT - Dean Henderson (Sheffield United, loan) Manchester United via Getty Imag 9/11 OUT - James Wilson (Aberdeen, free) Getty Images 10/11 OUT - Regan Poole (MK Dons, free) Getty Images 11/11 OUT - Kieran O'Hara (Burton Albion, loan) Getty Images 1/11 Man Utd's summer business Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has mostly looked to strengthen his squad with young, British players this summer. Getty Images 2/11 IN - Harry Maguire (Leicester, £80m) Manchester United via Getty Imag 3/11 IN - Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Crystal Palace, £50m) Getty Images 4/11 IN - Daniel James (Swansea, £22m) AFP/Getty Images 5/11 OUT - Ander Herrera (PSG, free) Getty Images 6/11 OUT - Romelu Lukaku (Inter Milan, £73m) Manchester United via Getty Imag 7/11 OUT - Antonio Valencia (LDU Quito, free) AFP/Getty Images 8/11 OUT - Dean Henderson (Sheffield United, loan) Manchester United via Getty Imag 9/11 OUT - James Wilson (Aberdeen, free) Getty Images 10/11 OUT - Regan Poole (MK Dons, free) Getty Images 11/11 OUT - Kieran O'Hara (Burton Albion, loan) Getty Images

"I think it was a smaller squad (when I came through) - there were say 15 of us in the first team squad now it is 27 or 28 so it was slightly easier to get in (the team). And I was a winger.

"But being centre forward for United, it doesn't happen very often that one comes through the ranks. (Marcus) Rashford has done it, but usually they buy someone in."

One player they have bought is Daniel James, who is managed by Giggs in the Wales national team.

While the 21-year-old is seen as another for the future, Giggs is confident he can deliver right away.

"I am excited because I know what he's capable of," he says. "It gives me an excuse to watch United as well.

"He's a grounded lad, who just wants to play football and improve. But a year ago – 18 months ago - he was on loan at Shrewsbury. But the last six months I've seen a massive change in him, working with him, mentally, physically.

"Like any young winger you are going to be up and down. You look at Ronaldo – in his first 18 months he was like that and you see where he is now. I'm not comparing him with Ronaldo, but young wingers, sometimes their final ball, sometimes they could score more – that's always going to be the case with Dan.

"But when he's on fire he is very difficult to stop and I think United fans in a lot of games this year will be excited."

In the short term that might be as much as supporters can hope for from Solskjaer's revolution – but for the likes of Giggs and Neville, who have the club running through their veins, their former teammate is finally pulling the club in the right direction.