Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba addressed his critics ahead of a crucial rivalry match against Liverpool, asking for a little bit of patience as he adjusts to a new system.
The French midfielder joined the Red Devils out of Juventus in a £89.3-million move, and for some, Pogba has not lived up to the astronomically high expectations pinned on him as a result.
“I will need a little time to adapt in Manchester, time for the machine to start working. I am adapting,” Pogba said in an interview with TF1’s “Telefoot,” as translated by the Independent’s Jack de Menezes.
“People like to talk about Paul Pogba. The critics, they stay for a day, then after that I put my music back on, I dance.”
Pogba told Telefoot he hopes to “learn a lot” from manager Jose Mourinho, according to ESPN FC’s Arindam Rej. Mourinho has used the star in several different ways as he tinkers with the team’s shape. In recent weeks, Pogba’s moved into an advanced position, with Wayne Rooney dropped in his stead.
Pogba is unlikely to be facing too much of a culture shock, since he joined Juventus out of Manchester United and returns to a city and a club with which he is already familiar.
“Returning to Manchester United is a new chapter in my career,” Pogba said to TF1, as quoted by the Daily Mirror’s Mick Gadd. “New players, new coach, it’s a great challenge. Does my price put more pressure on me? No, I have none.”
