Berbatov urges Man Utd fans to lay off 'childish' lifestyle of Pogba and Lingard

Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard are 'childish' but they must be allowed to express themselves, insists former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov.

Both Pogba and Lingard have come under scrutiny for their activity across social media sites like Instagram in the last 12 months.

Former Blackpool, QPR and Crystal Palace boss Ian Holloway even went as far as to suggest that United would be wise to transfer list Lingard following his recent video filmed on holiday.

Wantaway midfielder Pogba was fined in the days following Jose Mourinho's sacking after a provocative 'caption this' photo which saw him pulling an unimpressed face.

This came two months after the Frenchman posted a video to his Instagram story where he was laughing in the stands at Old Trafford alongside Andreas Pereira and Luke Shaw as United exited the Carabao Cup to Derby County.

Lingard has faced his own vitriol having come under fire for a video which saw him show off a lavish hotel room on holiday this summer in Miami, before capturing a friend pretending to perform a lewd sex act as a joke.

Swearing repeatedly in the video, Lingard can be hearing saying: 'S******* there as per. Probably 's*******' his own hand under that bed. S******* pillows as per.'

But Berbatov, who spent four years at United between 2008 and 2012, believes the pair need to be given the freedom to live their lives without being chastised for having fun off the pitch.

When asked if the duo get a hard time because they represent United, Berbatov said: 'Some fans just say things because they want to say something and they have the freedom to say bad things that are not always deserved.

'Young players need to express themselves how they see life. If they are happy they will translate that on the pitch.'

The Betfair ambassador added: 'Players like [Jesse] Lingard and [Paul] Pogba they see differently to you and I. More childish, more boyish because they are young.

'As long as they are happy they will put this feel into the game and it will benefit them and the team will benefit.

'You can read a lot of negativity around social media and we are all human beings. It goes (in your head) and you start questioning yourself. Then you don't play well and the team lose and that is not good for anyone.'

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is heading into the final few days of the transfer window with plenty of questions, particularly around Pogba after he was absent from the friendly win over AC Milan.

Sportsmail exclusively revealed that the controversial star failed to turn up for the outbound flight for the trip to Cardiff as he looks to ramp up pressure on the club, thereby forcing a move through to join Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid.

The window closes on August 8 for English sides and while Pogba has kept a low profile on social media in recent weeks, it is no secret he wishes to secure a move to Spain, despite United's reluctance to cash in on a player they bought for £89m back in 2016.

Solskjaer insists he has 'no doubts' the divisive Frenchman will be at the club once the window closes but that is unlikely to quell talk of an exit between now and Thursday's deadline.

It remains to be seen if either Pogba or Lingard will get the nod to start the season opener against Chelsea on August 11 given their turbulent summers but in the eyes of Berbatov, freedom off the pitch will allow both to play with freedom on it.

Dimitar Berbatov was speaking at the launch of the new Betfair Exchange Campaign which showcases the different ways to bet on the Exchange and includes a 'How To' hub. For more from Berbatov throughout the season head to https://betting.betfair.com/football/dimitar-berbatov/