Newcastle United boss Rafa Benitez insists Paul Pogba is not on the level of Steven Gerrard yet, and must produce more consistent performances in order for him to be recognised as such.

Pogba scored one and created another on his return to action for Manchester United after being sidelined for almost two months with a hamstring injury.

United overcame Benitez’s Newcastle United 4-1 at Old Trafford, and Pogba, who played 70 minutes of the game, was a big influence on the match.

He has certainly been missed during the number of weeks he’s been out, and United look a much better side with him in their ranks – but Benitez has insisted that the Frenchman has some way to go before he can be classed in the same category as former Liverpool skipper Gerrard.

“No, they’re different,” said the Newcastle manager. “Stevie was a top-class player for so many years.

“He was very consistent and could make the difference in every game, with or without the ball.

“He was a top-class player. Pogba is a great player, but he still has to be consistent for years like Stevie was for 10 or 15 years.

“Pogba is not my player, so I don’t need to talk too much about him. He’s a great player, like the majority of the Manchester United players.”
[Quotes via Sky Sports]