Paul Pogba believes Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes would be in contention to win the Ballon d'Or if he played for a team like Manchester City.
The former United midfielder, who had two spells at the club before leaving for a second stint at Juventus in 2022, says while Fernandes is a "top player", the Portugal international would gain even more plaudits if he was surrounded by better players.
Fernandes, 31, claimed his 18th Premier League assist of the season for Matheus Cunha's goal in the win over Chelsea last weekend and is two short of equalling the record, jointly held by Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne with 20.
Speaking to the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Pogba, 33, said: “Bruno Fernandes, in other big clubs, is in the top three Ballon D’or.”
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Fernandes was last nominated for the award in 2021 where he placed joint 21st with Inter Milan forward Lautaro Martinez.
Frenchman Pogba continued: "Do you think Bruno, if he's in the other team, he's not in the top three, a Ballon d'Or player?
"You put him in [Manchester] City, he's in the Ballon d'Or."
Fernandes, who has scored eight goals this season, was praised for "driving the dressing room towards a higher level" by United goalkeeper Senne Lammens earlier this week.
His performances this season makes him a contender for the various player of the year awards and Pogba added: "He's everywhere on the pitch.
"He has a volume. He keeps running. He's smart. He can play two touches, one touch. He can shoot."
But he said players needed to win trophies with big clubs to be considered for the accolade: "When you don't win, we don't think about you."
Fernandes joined United in January 2020 from Portuguese side Sporting Lisbon, now Sporting, for £47m and has made 322 appearances for the club, scoring 106 goals.
He rejected huge offers from Saudi Pro League sides Al-Hilal and Al-Ittihad last summer in order to stay at Old Trafford, with his contract at United running to 2027, with the option of an additional year.
United are third in the Premier League table, level on 58 points with fourth-placed Aston Villa.
Should Mainoo stay or go?
Pogba became the world’s most expensive player when he re-joined United from Juventus in 2016 for £89m.
He had spent four years away from the club at the Italian side after feeling his opportunities were limited under former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson.
Given his past experiences at United, Pogba said he understands what young players like Kobbie Mainoo, who has been in talks with the club over a contract extension, are going through.
Mainoo, 21, made his United debut in 2023 and received his first England call-up a year later. However, after a difficult run under ex-manager Ruben Amorim, he requested to join Napoli on loan last summer, which was rejected.
However he is back in the side under Michael Carrick, and can have "a great career at Manchester United", Pogba says – though the "talented, talented kid" needs to know he is "good with the manager".
But should he still consider leaving the club, like Pogba did as a young player with a big future ahead of him?
"It's really hard for me to say he should leave when he's so loved by the people at United," the Frenchman added.
"Whatever decision he's going to take. I just want to see this kid play because it's enjoyable to see him play."
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Pogba also reflected on his high-profile return to United 10 years ago, saying the culture at the club "was different".
Ferguson's 26-year trophy-laden reign at the club had come to an end in 2013 and by the time Pogba arrived back at Old Trafford, Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho had just been appointed following the sacking of Dutchman Louis van Gaal.
Pogba, who won the Europa League and EFL Cup during his second spell at United, noted the "energy" was different, adding: "When I left, it wasn't like that, you know, like you came to Manchester United with the clear culture of Manchester United.
"Even the food, everything inside was different. I said, it's a bit weird, you know?
"It's not the same club as when I left."
Pogba signed for Ligue 1 club Monaco from the Juventus last summer and made his long-awaited return to football in November after his four-year doping ban was reduced to 19 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (Cas).
"I'm grateful to be back and play football again after everything that happened," said Pogba. "I see football totally different. I enjoy myself. I want to enjoy."
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