Pogba admits this season at Man Utd has been the most ‘difficult’ of his career
Paul Pogba has admitted that this season with Manchester United has been the most difficult period in his career and described the international break as ‘a breath of fresh air’.
The French star came into this national team period with France having been dropped by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at Old Trafford, with Scott McTominay and Fred preferred as the deeper options behind Bruno Fernandes in midfield.
And Pogba has now claimed that playing Nations League fixtures with World Cup winners France is a much-needed break from time at Manchester United as he prepares to return to Manchester this week.
The 27-year-old told RTL France: ‘I had never known such a difficult period in my career. The France team is a breath of fresh air, the group is exceptional, it’s magic.’
Prior to the international break, the Frenchman was dropped by Solskjaer for United’s two most recent games as the Red Devils were beaten by Istanbul Basaksehir and beat Everton at Goodison Park.
However, Pogba has started both of Les Bleus matches so far in November – a shock 2-0 home defeat to Finland and France’s superb 1-0 win at reigning European and Nations League champions Portugal.
France boss Didier Deschamps, who gave Pogba a major role in their World Cup-winning squad in 2018, has admitted that the 27-year-old is not on the best of form and is not ‘fulfilled in what he does’ at Manchester United.
The national team manager revealed on Thursday: ‘He’s not in his best form, of course. It’s hard to remember to be positive. Obviously, he’s not in one of his better periods.
‘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.
‘We cannot, however, say that he is fulfilled in what he does at his club.’
Pogba’s omission from the Manchester Untied starting eleven has coincided with continual 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?’
The midfielder is hoping to feature once again for Les Bleus as the national team take on Sweden in the Nations League on Tuesday night.
