Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba 'does not compare' to Liverpool great Steven Gerrard

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has some way to go before he can be compared to legendary Liverpool midfielder Steven Gerrard, Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez has said.

Pogba, 24, returned from a hamstring injury to inspire United to a 4-1 victory over the Magpies at Old Trafford on 18 November.

The Frenchman marked his first appearance for the Red Devils in more than two months with a goal and an assist before he was replaced by Marouane Fellaini in the 70th minute.

Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho praised Pogba's performance as "different class" in the post-match press conference, but Benitez said the midfielder had to deliver more consistently before he can be classed in the same league as Gerrard.

The Spaniard managed Gerrard at Liverpool for six years between 2004 and 2010, with the pair winning one FA Cup and one European Cup together.

"No, they're different," Benitez was quoted as saying by Sky Sports. "Stevie was a top-class player for so many years.

"He was very consistent and could make the difference in every game, with or without the ball.

"He was a top-class player. Pogba is a great player, but he still has to be consistent for years like Stevie was for 10 or 15 years.

"Pogba is not my player, so I don't need to talk too much about him. He's a great player, like the majority of the Manchester United players."

Mourinho has indicated that he may rest club-record signing Pogba for United's Champions League trip to Basel in midweek in order to preserve his energy ahead of a busy run of fixtures.

"The best thing for him may be to play again, but the best decision may be to rest him because he is a player we need to protect," the Portuguese coach told MUTV.

The Red Devils have won all four of their Champions League group games to date and only need a point from the remaining two fixtures to secure a place in the knockout stages.