Didier Deschamps says he acknowledges that struggling Paul Pogba is becoming increasingly frustrated at Old Trafford but has urged his player to leave the issues behind and focus on France’s upcoming international friendly matches.
Since re-joining Manchester United for, then, a world record £89 million in 2016, Pogba has had his critics, but has also showcased his brilliance on occasions.
This is Pogba’s most difficult run of form to date. Recent poor performances have seen him left out of the starting XI and he was particularly criticised for his performance when he came off the bench against Sevilla.
Pogba has three goals and 10 assists for United this season, with his best run of form coming towards the start of the campaign when the football his team were playing was more of a free-flowing, attacking game, as opposed to the disciplined, extremely structured way United are seemingly producing now.
As reported by Goal, Deschamps said:
It’s not a specific case to Paul. It happens at different call-ups, that a player is not so good or is going through a certain situation at his club. It could be Paul, there, and others at a different time, and I will do as I have always done: I will talk with him, to understand, as I don’t have all the elements. But that’s what I told them [the squad] at midday: what happened at the weekend and before is no longer on the agenda. We have to focus on Russia and Colombia. That’s part of our job as coaches.
Some may even be surprised that Pogba hasn’t been dropped for the games against Russia and Colombia, although it is a good chance for the midfielder to regain some confidence and get back in to the right gear ahead of the remaking Premier League games and the F.A Cup semi-final.
