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 Manchester 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.
Rish_devil
518
pogba is talented when the pace of the game suits him. EPL is too fast for him to be able to dictate the game. he is good for France and seria A coz the pace of the game is very slow compared to EPL. And the physicality and aggression of the game is too much for him. He is only suitable for playing is slower leagues. Having talent is different thing, but if Ur not able to manuever and manipulate that talent it's useless. I don't see what's the hype, I have seen 100s of players provide better output than pogba. What's the point of having a costly watch instead of ordinary watch. In the end both of them shows time. Only difference is one is costly and fancy other is not.
ConorMcDermott
414
I'm tired of Pogba. The way he acted when he wasn't getting enough game time under Fergie. Then with Jose and now Ole. He doesn't have the proper attitude to pull the team from out of a slump. He often gives the ball away cheaply when we are losing games. Isn't committed to getting back to help defend when he has lost it. He is a very talented player don't get me wrong. But he needs an attitude adjustment. If sell him at the end of the season for 80m and use that money to fund a move for Sancho 💪💪
ishti
303
Ole is right in his decisions. He can't go on the pitch and do the job for Pogba. He has been set 'free' many a times by Ole, but he has failed to live up to the expectations. You haven't treated players like Laporte & Benzema with the respect you demand for Pogba from Ole.