Mikael Silvestre has claimed that Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho made the right call to drop Paul Pogba.

The midfielder was left out of the starting XI that recorded a goalless draw with Sevilla in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.

Pogba has been criticised for failing to live up to expectations in the past due to the £89m price tag that United paid to re-sign the midfielder in the summer of 2016.

While some have taken aim at Mourinho for not playing the 24-year-old in a more advanced role, Silvestre thinks that the manager has made the right decision.

"Because of the transfer price tag and where he's been before, coming from Juve, we've expected him to be the talisman, to be 'Mr 100%', to be fit all the time and to win games for United," the former United defender told Dubai Eye 103.8.

"On some occasions he's failed, he's failed [to meet] the expectations. That's why there's a question mark and that's why he was put aside by Jose Mourinho. I think that was very smart from Jose, especially the way he's handled it.

"You know it's clear that Paul hasn't played well for us and that's why he's not starting the games and that's the end of story. At least everybody knows the reason why, it's clear. There is no misunderstanding, there is no 'maybe Pogba is finished with United', that wasn't the case. He was just not performing at the level everybody is expecting."

Pogba has scored three goals and created 10 assists in 25 appearances in all competitions this season.