Pogba, 24, rejoined United last summer for a world-record transfer fee of £89.3 million, having left for Juventus in 2012.
Nobody played more games for United than the France international this season, and he scored nine goals for the club, including the opener in the 2-0 win over Ajax in the Europa League final.
But the expectations raised by his transfer fee and strong performances for Juve and France in last summer's Euro 2016 have led some pundits to criticise his first season back in England.
Former United midfielder Robson, however, says Pogba will eventually take over as captain at Old Trafford.
"I think he's improved us. When he's been missing we've missed something," the ex-England captain told Press Association Sport.
"He maybe dwells on [the ball] a bit too long for a central midfielder sometimes -- you want to move it quicker -- but Paul has got real ability and he can see a pass that splits defences. When he's not in the team, we don't have that.
"I think if Paul starts improving his performances, he could be a captain for United who leads by example."
Robson's former teammate Gary Pallister agrees and believes Pogba also brings a physical presence to the team that has been lacking in recent seasons.
Both Robson and Pallister were record signings when they joined United in 1981 and 1989 respectively so can understand the pressure that a big fee can bring.
"I think he'll be better for a bit of a rest and the hype of the transfer fee has played its part in that," Pallister said. "And he's just lost his father, which is tough. I think with a full preseason behind him, you'll see the best of Paul Pogba.
"He's got that infectious way about him, he loves life and he seems to really enjoy playing football, so I think he'd be the type of player to follow. If Pogba starts playing the way we know he's capable of, he ticks all the boxes for [the captaincy]."
Robson, who was club captain at Old Trafford between 1982 and 1994 and also led England 65 times, added Ander Herrera is another player with leadership qualities, while he praised Antonio Valencia's "determination" -- a trait he wants to see players such as Phil Jones and Chris Smalling add to their games.
United finished the Premier League season in sixth place, 24 points behind champions Chelsea, but Robson is adamant the campaign was a success as the club won three trophies and qualified for next season's Champions League, something they failed to achieve the year before.
That failure sealed Louis van Gaal's fate as manager and he was replaced by Jose Mourinho last summer.
"People dismiss the Community Shield but as a player you always wanted to win it because it gives you confidence going into the season," Robson said. "And the EFL Cup was a good win -- Southampton gave us a really good game in the final.
"Now, if that had been it, you'd say it's been an OK season. But to go and win the Europa League and qualify for the Champions League, you've got to say it's a very good season, especially when you consider the way the team were going.
"OK, we won the FA Cup [under Van Gaal] but we weren't playing the football the fans wanted to see and the squad was a little bit weak. [Mourinho's] four signings improved the squad [last summer], so you've got to say it's a very good season."
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