Since retiring from football, Scholes has taken up a role as a pundit with BT Sport and has often scrutinised his former side.

And following Manchester United’s 0-0 draw with Southampton at the weekend, he decided to aim his criticism at Pogba. 

The United legend questioned Pogba’s fitness levels and claimed the France international is just “strolling through games”.

Pogba has battled with injury problems this season but was instrumental in United’s 2-0 win over Everton last night, providing assists for both Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard.

And Mourinho has jumped to the defence of his star midfielder while suggesting Scholes is jealous of Pogba for the amount of money he earns.

"I think the only thing Paul Scholes does is criticise. I don't think he comments, I think he criticises, which is a different thing,” Mourinho said.

"But not every one of us has to be phenomenal like he was as a player. He was a phenomenal player, that doesn't mean that we all have to be phenomenal.

"Paul [Pogba] tries to do his best all the time. Sometimes he plays very well, sometimes he plays well and sometimes he doesn't play so well. It's not Paul's fault that he made much more money than Paul Scholes. It's not Paul's fault. It's just the way football is.

"But I think Scholes will be in the history like a phenomenal player, not as a pundit, so I prefer to look at him as a phenomenal player who gave so much to the club that I am proud to represent.

"If Paul one day decides to be a manager I wish that he can be 25 per cent as successful as myself, because 25% of 25 is around six. So if he's 25% he'll be quite happy.

"But in my mind Paul Scholes was a phenomenal player, one of the best players I have ever seen playing in midfield, and he gave so much to my club that I only can thank him for that because the prestige of this club is based on people like him."

Thierry Henry was full of praise for Pogba after his display against Everton last night, stating he was ‘unplayable’ at times.

“When he plays at that level he is almost unplayable and I think he changed the second half,” Henry told Sky Sports.

“He went up to a certain level. That's what you do as a captain. You say to your team-mates, ‘guys, follow me. I'll show you the way.’”