To say that a lot is expected from Paul Labile Pogba is a rather heavy understatement. The footballing world expects the Frenchman to be one of the best players in the world. Even the best. He’s expected to be a conductor, a leader, a passer, a scorer, a tackler, a number 10, a number 8, a number 6. He must be everything. So, they ask, why isn’t he?

When that transfer saga was over and Pogba finalised his somewhat messianic return to Manchester United, it was expected that all the pieces were in place. Manchester United needed a major overhaul and they needed star quality in spades and frankly, it doesn’t get more shiny and spectacular than the combined trio of Jose Mourinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba. United were positioned firmly as one of the favourites for this season’s Premier League trophy and the Frenchman would be the hub, he would be the very soul of the engine room. He would be like – dare we say it – Juan Sebastian Veron, combining languid flair with incisive, killer passing and scoring, only much, much better.

It hasn’t worked out that way. In a season that so far has a definite air of “Van Gaal” to it, Mourinho’s men have looked unsure of themselves, like soldiers holding rusty swords, when they were promised razor sharp rapiers. Ibrahimovic hit the ground running at the start of the season, but the goals have since dried up, with the Swedish superstar now facing the greatest goal drought of his entire career. Even so, he soldiers on, holding up the ball and bringing his team mates into the game. Further back however, people are struggling to see Pogba actually doing anything. He carries the ball sure, but then so does Fellaini. He passes yes, but then so does everyone else. There are flashes of skill, the odd beautifully effortless pass, but you don’t spend close to 100 million British pounds for a few brushstrokes. Spending that kind of cash you expect the whole painting. The finished article.

While there have been plenty eager to attach the “what a waste of money” tag to the self-confident Frenchman, the Pogba conundrum is a lot more interesting than that. There is no doubt that he is supremely talented. At Juventus and at times with the French national team he was strong on the ball, never scared of a scrap, with an impressive range of passing and the ability to use his long frame to carry him from one end of the pitch to the other, a true box-to-box midfielder with an eye for goal. Usually at his best while operating in the freest role of a midfield trio, Pogba looked a true number 8, benefiting especially- when he was still playing in Turin – from a Juventus engine room that provided him with ample cover when he launched one of his offensive forays into the opposition box.

It is something that Mourinho has tried to replicate after seeing Pogba flounder alongside Marouane Fellaini in a midfield duo, but the addition of the energetic – and underappreciated – Ander Herrera has done little to help United’s prized asset shine. In theory, Mourinho has done all he can to accommodate him. Midfield trio? Check. Remove Wayne Rooney from the starting line-up, thus allowing further acres of freedom for Pogba? Check. Experiment with Pogba in a number 10 role? Check. Options and excuses are surely running out and United are no more closer to answering the Pobga quiz, than they were at the start of the season.

There is of course the worrying argument being made, that Pogba is simply not cut out for the breakneck speed of the Premier League. If it is so, then he will join the long list of footballing imports than have simply not been able to acclimatise. Love it or hate it, the Premier League is a very fast and very physically demanding league and is far removed from the calmer pace of Serie A and the rather more “thoughtful” rhythm of the Champions League. But even that seems rather “off” as an argument.

The likelier explanation is that the Manchester United team he joined is still a team very much in transition and still could be as much as two seasons away from putting together a title challenging side. Despite the enormous investment that has already been poured into the team, there are still areas on the pitch that need significant improvement and for the Mourinho era to be considered a success, United need to obtain at least three to four world class players. Pogba, while surely having that kind of potential is not quite there yet, nor is he the kind of player who is capable of dragging this team forward, no matter what his price tag may imply.

There is no doubt that asking for patience when dealing with a 23-year-old, established international that cost a cool 100 million, may come off a bit “rich”, but that is exactly what United need. Make Pogba part of a balanced, well-structured side and he will surely shine. But expecting him to be a one-man army, or some kind of title-winning beacon may be going a step too far. Despite his swag, his dabbing and his bravado, Pogba is still a work in progress. An expensive one sure, but a work in progress.

It would be wise for both United and Mourinho to remember that.