Paul Pogba boasts the potential to become a midfield general in the Bryan Robson and Roy Keane mould if he retains the Manchester United captaincy, says Ryan Giggs.
Jose Mourinho has passed the armband to the Frenchman in the injury-enforced absence of Antonio Valencia.
Pogba will lead the Red Devils out again at Brighton on Sunday , having been branded a “monster” by his boss in the wake of a goal-scoring showing in a season opener against Leicester .
Giggs believes the 25-year-old needs to be given greater responsibility in order to produce his best on a more consistent basis, with the stage now set for a man who has been heavily linked with Barcelona to prove that there really is no rift between him and Mourinho at Old Trafford.
The United legend told Sky Sports : “I think everyone recognises the quality Paul Pogba has and he had an excellent World Cup, so after winning that it was recognition of what he can bring to the team.
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“From the outside he looks like a leader but what we haven't seen is the consistency of the likes of Bryan Robson and Roy Keane, so that extra responsibility will hopefully help him maintain his levels.
“The captains I played under really had that consistency and would still contribute on their bad days and I've got no doubts that he will reach those levels of consistency for United and be a top, top player.”
While Pogba still has plenty to prove in 2018-19, so does club colleague Luke Shaw.
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The 23-year-old defender is another to have seen his form called into question on a regular basis in recent years, but he was also on target against Leicester and is being backed to prove his worth now clear of injury and rebuilding his confidence.
Giggs added on the England international: “I've said a lot of times that Luke Shaw has got the quality and he's also got great strength, but he's not really had a real run since the horrific leg break.
“He's had a great pre-season, came back looking fit and a Luke Shaw at the top of his game is the best left-back Manchester United and England have got.
“He was unfortunate Ashley Young was so consistent last season, but that's got to serve as a reminder that he's got to keep hold of that place now.
“I'm just happy to see him back fit and scoring goals because I'm a big fan of Luke and he's a great lad as well, so I just hope he has a great season.”
