Paul Pogba has left himself open to criticism with struggles for consistency at Manchester United, says Ryan Giggs, but the World Cup winner has been showing over recent weeks that a prominent role can be found for him at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have failed to bring the best out of an enigmatic talent since bringing him back to English football from Juventus in a record-breaking £89 million ($122m) transfer.
That deal was done during the summer of 2016, with four-and-a-half years spent trying to eke undoubted ability out of the France international midfielder.
Pogba has often been a source of frustration for managers, team-mates and supporters, with the 27-year-old offering sporadic flashes of brilliance as questions are asked of his form, fitness and future.
Giggs admits that a divisive character has brought many of his problems on himself, with actions on and off the field, but is pleased to have seen experiments with his position pay off as full potential stars to be unlocked in his game.
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The United legend told Stadium Astro after seeing Pogba put in another eye-catching performance during a 3-2 FA Cup win over Liverpool: “When you set a standard that he has done, for France and Juve, and he comes to United and doesn’t really live up to the expectation, then you are open to criticism.
“I think he is a talent and he is a good lad as well. He gets a lot of criticism and I think that is down to some comments from his agent and just the fact he hasn’t been consistent since he joined United.
“Now we are starting to see some of that. Ole has been moving him around a little bit, off the left and right. He seems to now be hitting his best form, like a lot of the United players at the moment.”
Giggs added, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer often moving Pogba out of a role in the Red Devils’ engine room alongside Bruno Fernandes: “When you are out wide, you have to track the full-back sometimes in midfield. He definitely let his runner go quite often in games, whereas out wide you can see it.
“Ole has tried him in a deep role, as a 10, and messed around with his role and is now reaping the rewards.
“His attacking play and defensive play have become more consistent. He is producing those goals we all know he is capable of.”
Pogba has recorded match-winning goals in recent outings against Burnley and Fulham, with his efforts helping United to the top of the Premier League table as they look to chase down a first top-flight title in eight years.