Paul Pogba is feeling the pressure of playing for Manchester United - even the most confident struggle, claims Mickey Thomas

The pressure of playing for Manchester United was so intense for Mickey Thomas that he would down two bottles of wine the night before every home game.

The Wales winger had become an instant hit at Old Trafford thanks to his jinking runs and assists for a strike force of Lou Macari, Joe Jordan and Jimmy Greenhoff.

He was loved by the manager Dave Sexton after joining from Wrexham in a then big-money £300,000 move in 1978.

But inside his stomach was constantly churning, unable to come to terms with playing for one of football’s most iconic clubs.

“I would always drink a couple of bottles of wine the night before every game at Old Trafford just to relax me because I was so wound up,” admitted Thomas, 63.