Compiled By Markson Omagor
From Daily mail.co.uk
Didier Deschamps has suggested he understands Paul Pogba better than Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and praised the midfielder’s ‘pride and talent’.
Pogba is a regular for France but has started just one of United’s last four league games with Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes and Fred currently Solskjaer’s preferred midfield options.
Deschamps praised Pogba’s performances on the national stage, claiming the way to get the best from the 27-year-old is to allow him to express himself.
Just see what he was able to do in Portugal and what he did tonight,’ Deschamps said after Tuesday’s game.
‘I know him, I know how he works. He has pride and above all he has talent. When you have to defend, he can defend. When he has the opportunity to express himself, he is able to do so.
‘Paul is a top-level player and I hope what he did with us will be useful to him when he gets back to his club.’
Of the four Premier League games Pogba has started this season, United have won just one with the other three games ending in defeat.
Deschamps had admitted at the start of the international break that the midfielder has been affected mentally by his poor form at club level.
Speaking after the friendly with Finland, he said: ‘He’s not in his best form, of course. I knew that before the game.
‘Like all players who have a club situation that is not positive, they are also impacted mentally. I know him well enough and it can happen at some points.’
Pogba himself said that joining up with France had been ‘a breath of fresh air’.
‘I had never known such a difficult period in my career,’ he told RTL France.
‘The France team is a breath of fresh air, the group is exceptional, it’s magic.’
Pogba’s omission from the United team has coincided with more links to Real Madrid, who are managed by France legend Zinedine Zidane.
During the previous international break in October, Pogba revealed it is his dream to play for the Spanish club who won the LaLiga title last term.
Pogba told reporters last month: ‘Yes, all football players would love to play for Real Madrid. It is a dream for me, why not one day?’
United are back in action on Saturday with a home game against struggling West Brom.
