Los Angeles, July 28: Jose Mourinho has claimed that Manchester United midfielder and the club-record signing of the Red Devils Paul Pogba is on the same level as that of Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.

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The Portuguese manager made the signing of Paul Pogba on a club-record deal last summer from Juventus and expressed his delight over the performances of the French midfield maestro.

Manchester United went on to win the League Cup and Europa League last season and Pogba played a key role in that and Mourinho believes that the 24-year-old is among the best in the world already.

Mourinho's men wrapped up their pre-season tour of the United States with a 1-0 loss to Barca at the International Champions Cup, but Pogba was lively in the middle of the park for the Red Devils.

Barcelona secured a 1-0 win with a first-half goal from Neymar, who capitalised on United full back Antonio Valencia's mistake in the 31st minute to score from close range but Pogba showcased his talent in midfield.

Mourinho was full of praise for his midfield man after the game.

“Lionel) Messi and Neymar, there is only one; there is not two. (Luis) Suarez, (Andres) Iniesta, (Gerard) Pique, (Cristiano) Ronaldo, (Gareth) Bale, (Luka) Modric, Toni Kroos; there is only one so they can only play for one club, not for two clubs," said Mourinho.

“We can't have them, they belong to the clubs. But I have to say that Paul Pogba showed the level... he showed he belongs to that level."

“I always thought the problem is not what you pay for these kind of (top) players, I don't think the problem is what you pay for Pogba, I don't think the problem is going to pay crazy for Neymar," he said.

Mourinho added, “I think the problem is with the other group which is a big group because players like Pogba, there is one or two (big) transfers (like that) per transfer window. The other ones are where you have 100 transfers and for me that is the dangerous area of the market."

“Some clubs are paying or they don't buy because they don't accept the numbers that are now ruling the market, or to do it they have to go the same levels and for me that's what worries me a little bit because now we speak about £30 million, £40 million, £50 million in such an easy way," the Potugese concluded.

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