Mino Raiola Discusses Paul Pogba, Manchester United, Jose Mourinho and More

Paul Pogba's agent Mino Raiola has conceded the Frenchman's form has not been at his best since his return to Manchester United, but he believes the 23-year-old "will dominate for 10 years."

Raiola spoke to the Daily Mail's Simon Jones and said: "It’s true Pogba is not playing his best yet, he is taking time to adjust but people don’t always see the bigger picture. He will dominate for 10 years. He is United’s lost son."

Pogba returned to Old Trafford this summer in a world-record £89 million move, but his performances have attracted criticism from some quarters thus far.

After Jose Mourinho's side slipped to a 2-1 defeat in the Manchester derby, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher singled out Pogba's performance as costly:

United's subsequent defeats to Feyenoord and Watford have done little to ease the criticism of the midfielder, who is yet to score or assist in his five outings for the club since returning.

Football writer Liam Canning believes much of it to be over the top and premature, however:

Indeed, while Pogba has hardly set the world alight at Old Trafford and his price tag will prompt many to demand instant results, United are still recovering from three largely disastrous years under David Moyes and Louis van Gaal. Not only do they have a new manager, but also a new-look starting lineup—it could take time for him and the team to adapt and jell.

Raiola also spoke of Pogba's exit from Old Trafford, arguing it was a "necessary step" for him to progress, and his subsequent return from Juventus. He said:

"

I always say to my players we go where we are needed. United will always be one of the biggest clubs in the world whether by reputation or balance sheet. 

Yes, Manchester United had no [UEFA] Champions League and weren’t champions but they needed us the most.

United had been talking to us for two years about Pogba.

[...]

Paul said United was in his heart, [executive vice-chairman Ed] Woodward wanted him at United a year ago and Mourinho had wanted him at Chelsea too, so when the two combined we knew it was right.

For the player, Real Madrid would have been easier, LaLiga, Champions League, but he wanted the greater challenge.

"

The Italian-born agent hailed United's ambition after they decisively brought in several marquee players this summer: "They sent out a message with the transfers they did that this is the biggest club in the world."

Along with Pogba, the Red Devils also secured Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan, both of whom were coming off the back of stunning campaigns for Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund, while Eric Bailly has already looked an excellent capture from Villarreal.

Meanwhile, Mourinho came in as manager with the mandate of returning United to their glory days.

The summer of change will require time for the squad to settle, though the dip in form after a solid start will be something of a concern after the struggles Mourinho went through with Chelsea last season:

Nevertheless, Raiola has paid little attention to recent results: "I still think United will win the league though as they now have the quality."

The Red Devils find themselves six points behind Pep Guardiola's Manchester City, who have set themselves out as the team to beat this year.

United need to return to form quickly if they're to avoid further setbacks in the title race.

With a home game against champions Leicester City and visits to Anfield and Stamford Bridge in their next four league outings, it will be a real test of Mourinho's skills as a manager to do so.

Pogba's form will likely have a significant impact on the results—should he continue to struggle, United's task will be much harder. If he can show the form he did at Juventus, the Red Devils should have little trouble propelling themselves back into contention.