Manchester United great Rio Ferdinand has explained why Paul Pogba's performance level has improved due to the presence of Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes made the switch to the Reds in January from Sporting Lisbon but it's only now that the attacking midfielder and Pogba have had a run in the United side together due to the latter's injury issues.
Ferdinand feels that Pogba's energy levels have increased dramatically since his return to the side and he has highlighted what Fernandes brings to the side as being key to that.
The former United defender believes the change is two-fold, with Pogba not wanting to be shown up by a player with as much quality as him. But Ferdinand also sees Fernandes as a player who is able to shoulder a big workload and take the pressure off of Pogba.
"[Paul] Pogba has been a totally different player since the restart," Ferdinand told BT Sport. "The energy levels in his game, it's the Pogba United paid £89m for four years ago.
"A big factor is undoubtedly the man he is playing with in the centre of midfield - Bruno Fernandes.
"Pogba will not want to be shown up out there and that's perhaps the motivation he needed. Solskjaer will be absolutely loving what he's seeing from those two.
"Fernandes is just doing what comes naturally to him and it's been a huge boost to Pogba's form - it's freed him up to play as well.
"There's probably less pressure on him now because he knows that some of the burden of expectation is being shouldered by Fernandes."
