David Meyler believes Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's handling of Paul Pogba has been one his greatest feats as Manchester United manager.
The French midfielder was named Man of the Match yesterday in their 3-2 FA Cup defeat of Liverpool at Old Trafford, the latest strong showing from an in-form Pogba.
It follows on from his stunning match-winning goal against Fulham five days ago, as well as his winner away to Burnley a week previous, with Pogba becoming a much more stable presence in the United midfield.
In December it looked as if Pogba and the club had reached breaking point, when his agent Mino Raiola categorically staged Pogba was unhappy at United and wished to leave. However, the 27-year-old has been virtually ever-present in United's team since then, as they surged to the top of the Premier League table.
David Meyler joined Ger and Nathan on this Monday's OTB AM, and spoke about how United's form since the comments of Pogba's agent - and the form of the player himself - is a testament to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's man-management, and a sure sign the players believe in what the Norwegian is trying to do.
"That's coming from whatever they're doing on the training pitch, that's coming from inside. The biggest compliment you could pay him is what he's done with Paul Pogba is unbelievable. A couple of months ago he came out and said he wanted to go play for Real Madrid, but the form Paul Pogba has been in is incredible.
"We're really seeing how good a player he is, because we all know it. He has it all in his locker. I've spoken about it many times from the times I've played against him. The biggest question had been his discipline. It was really interesting to see once United went 3-2 up and there was a bit of pressure on, he (Solskjaer) pushes Pogba wide right. He doesn't ultimately trust his as a deep lying player, but there's no doubting his ability. The performance against Fulham, Man of the match yesterday, he's just found a way," Meyler says.
However, he did caveat the praise for Pogba by saying Solskjaer needs to be mindful with how he plays Pogba in the more high-stakes league games, pointing out that his natural flair and confidence may not be suited to a deep-lying midfield position.
"It's probably the bigger teams, when you're really locking horns, you have to be disciplined and tactically spot-on.
"I think with Pogba in that position, there's probably a touch of arrogance in the sense that he's thinking, 'I'm Paul Pogba, you can worry about me', rather than being the team player - what Fred and McTominay will do - doing the tireless running to get Bruno on the ball. Pogba probably thinks, 'I'm not going to worry too much about De Bruyne, he needs to worry about me'," Meyler added.
'I wouldn't want to get rid of him'
One theory surrounding Pogba's good form is that he's playing to impress potential suitors, who may have cooled off on him following his early season form.
Pogba is under contract until the end of next season, after United activated his 12-month extension. Meyler says he believed United extended his deal in order to protect themselves for when he was eventually sold.
However, now Meyler says he thinks United would - and should - want to keep him around.
"No. If I were the United manager or United fan I wouldn't want to get rid of him.
"I felt at the time (of the extension), it was just a play so they could afford to sell him and he still has value to them. I think if I were United I would want to keep him, certainly with the form he's in.
"That needs to be a conversation between the manager and the player. Do you see yourself staying here for the next four or five seasons? Trying to win Premier League titles, getting back to the Champions League. If there was a case that he wasn't 100 percent committed, then move him on."
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