This isn't the time to make snap judgements; this isn't even the time for anyone to start panicking. But what is clear, after events this last week, is that Jose Mourinho has a riddle to solve with Paul Pogba.

I described Pogba's performance in the Manchester derby on Monday Night Football as him being like a kid on the schoolyard. He ran all over the pitch, without thought or discipline, and was never in the one area he should be: central midfield.

Mourinho had a change of plan for the game against Feyenoord in the Europa League on Thursday, using him in a 4-3-3 formation but, again, United were beaten and Pogba was subdued; he looked increasingly irritated with himself the longer the game progressed.

Paul Pogba runs with the ball during Manchester United's 1-0 defeat by Feyenoord

France international Pogba is tackled by Karim El Ahmadi during the Europa League clash

Pogba endured a frustrating evening as Jose Mourinho's side failed to hit form in Rotterdam

When United paid Juventus that world-record fee to bring Pogba back to Old Trafford, it wasn't for him to try to replicate the magic tricks of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale; they signed him to become the game's dominant midfielder, an all-action hero.

The barometers Pogba will be measured against in the future are Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Yaya Toure, three of the Premier League's most dominant midfield figures; they scored goals, provided assists, won games on their own and propelled their teams to trophies.

Those three men, however, all found it difficult when they were put in the role in which Mourinho has deployed Pogba — in a midfield two. Lampard, for instance, flourished in a midfield three for Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti when Claude Makelele was the security behind him.

Steven played centrally many times for Liverpool but the years he was named Footballer of the Year — by the PFA in 2006 and the FWA in 2009 — he had played on the right of midfield or as a No 10; the presence of Dietmar Hamann, Xabi Alonso and Javier Mascherano gave him the licence to rampage.

Frank Lampard developed into one of the Premier League's best central midfielders at Chelsea

Steven Gerrard celebrates wildly after scoring against rivals Everton at Anfield in 2014

Don't forget, either, the two performances that defined his Liverpool career — Istanbul in the 2005 Champions League final and Cardiff for the FA Cup final a year later — came from those positions. He took AC Milan apart after Rafa Benitez reshuffled and put him to No 10 and West Ham couldn't live with him from the right.

Toure, once he had settled into the Premier League's rhythm, did have a huge impact but, in later years, he left Manchester City's defence wide open and that is exactly what Pogba did to United seven days ago.

His indiscipline was in stark contrast to the way David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne — two No 10s — never veered away from their respective roles; Mourinho hates the idea of his team being open and he won't allow that to continue.

The Pogba I saw for Juventus was able to run free and wreak havoc because he had Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio chaperoning him, giving him protection and guidance, but I was a little bit disappointed with him when I saw him play in a two for France at Euro 2016.

Yaya Toure had a huge impact for Manchester City after settling into the Premier League

Pogba excelled in a midfield three at Juventus before joining United in a world record deal

There were flashes of brilliance but he seemed more interested, at times, in doing the flicks and dribbles you would associate with a No 10. That's very unusual for a central midfielder. I never saw him grab a match by the scruff the neck and stamp his authority on it.

So what does Mourinho do? He has gone with 4-2-3-1 but Pogba has struggled to play in that system for United and France. If he reverts to 4-3-3 there will be ramifications for other players, notably Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Wayne Rooney, who is currently playing as No 10. But should a manager have to change to fit in one player? If they cost £90million, then the answer is 'yes'.

Mourinho, it must be said, was right to point out after the game in Holland the issues that have not helped Pogba. He had the draining experience of trying to help the host nation win the European Championship, he had no pre-season and very little time to relax.

But not having an ideal preparation does not excuse having a lack of understanding of what is going on during a game. And I find that strange about him. We are not talking about a kid here. He was schooled at United and worked under Antonio Conte in Italy. He's played at tournaments and in a Champions League final. He should know the moments when to stay back and when to go forward.

Pogba, though, is not the first free spirit with whom Mourinho has worked. Cesc Fabregas left Chelsea exposed in his first season at Stamford Bridge but his 18 assists carried them to the title. The fact he still leaves them exposed is the reason Antonio Conte has put him on the bench.

Pogba is yet to score or provide an assist since moving to Old Trafford during the summer

United boss Jose Mourinho will have to change his formation to get the best out of Pogba

When the goals and assists dry up, that is when the problems start for these players. Conte replaced Fabregas with N'Golo Kante when he arrived because he wanted security, while Toure has been banished by Pep Guardiola.

Fabregas' figures are an example of the kind of numbers Pogba is going to have to contribute if he is intent on powering forward and he will have to raise his levels from Serie A, where he scored 28 times — he never managed double figures in a campaign — and set up 22 goals during his four years. He can't be criticised too heavily at this point — Christmas will be when we can fairly judge Pogba — and we cannot underestimate what a good signing he is for the Premier League as a whole; I was delighted he came here rather than going to Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.

I'm also sure that he will be a success for United. You can see he has undoubted class, from the way he moves to the power he shows, but to be regarded as a true great, to find himself being compared favourably to Gerrard, Lampard and Toure, he is going to need assistance.

From what I have seen so far, he doesn't have the tactical awareness to play in a pair in midfield. Mourinho will know that better than anyone now. To get the best out of Pogba, there has to be change.

PHELAN'S RIGHT MAN FOR THE JOB

Mike Phelan has finally been made an offer to be Hull's permanent manager but the move was long overdue.

In my first column of the season, I named Phelan as my Man of the Week, given he had found himself in a seemingly impossible position. He was asked to hold everything together with just 13 senior players and the first assignment was against the champions.

Mike Phelan shouts instructions from the touchline during Hull's draw with Burnley last week

But Hull's players showed in that opening day victory over Leicester they are responding to Phelan's methods — look how they didn't give up to earn a point against Burnley seven days ago — and it was good to see he was recognised with the Premier League's Manager of the Month award.

He will know better than anyone Hull face a huge fight to stay up but the vastly experienced Phelan has waited patiently and deserves the opportunity. Hull should get this business concluded swiftly.

MAN OF THE WEEK: IDRISSA GANA GUEYE

Romelu Lukaku had got back among the goals and Yannick Bolasie's name was sung repeatedly by the travelling fans but there was another huge contributor to Everton's win at Sunderland.

Gueye almost sneaked in under the radar to Goodison Park this summer but his opening performances have been excellent and he took me by surprise with the quality he showed at the Stadium of Light.

He operates alongside Gareth Barry in front of Everton's defence but there is so much more to his game than destruction. Gueye loves getting on the ball and once he has passed it, he wants to get back on it again and make something happen.

Idrissa Gueye (right) impressed as Everton beat Sunderland 3-0 at the Stadium of Light

His cross for Lukaku's opening header showed the kind of quality he can produce when given the time and I don't think I'll be alone in terms of underestimating what an influence Gueye can be.