Pogba has silenced critics: Ibrahimovic
LOS ANGELES: Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes his former Manchester United teammate Paul Pogba silenced doubters with his performances in France’s successful FIFA World Cup campaign.
France beat Croatia 4-2 in Russia on Sunday to clinch their second World Cup title, with Didier Deschamps’ men looking solid, if not spectacular, throughout their campaign.
Kylian Mbappe drew most of the plaudits for his thrilling displays, but Pogba was a key figure in midfield and really stepped up a level in the knockout phase.
Although Pogba’s imaginative passing and technical ability were frequently shown, he also provided evidence of a combative side which has rarely been associated with him during his time at Old Trafford.
And Ibrahimovic is adamant Pogba’s performances and trophy successes prove his quality.
“I played with him for two years and people like to give their opinion, which they have the right to do,” Ibrahimovic said. “They judge but I think the result speaks for itself.
“He is young. He won the World Cup, he was in the Champions League final [when at Juventus], the Europa League final [with United], the Euro 2016 final [with France] - and he won many titles at Juventus.”
WILSHERE EXCITED BY PELLEGRINI’S TACTICS
LONDON: Jack Wilshere is excited by the tactics set to be used by West Ham manager Manuel Pellegrini, who he feels is not too dissimilar to his former boss at Arsenal, Arsene Wenger.
Wilshere is embarking on a new adventure at the London Stadium after spending his entire professional career at Arsenal before his release at the end of last season.
There has already been much upheaval at West Ham ahead of the new Premier League season, with the club giving a signal of intent by signing former Manchester City manager Pellegrini, as well as bringing in players of the standard of Wilshere and Felipe Anderson.
When asked if there were similarities between Wenger and Pellegrini, Wilshere said: “A little, as you said he’s experienced and has football knowledge.
“He’s won the Premier League and I think I read that he’s never finished out of European places with any of the clubs he’s been at.”
MAN UNITED’S ‘VERY BAD’ PRE-SEASON
MANCHESTER: Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is worried by the absence of key players from the club’s pre-season training camp in the United States, saying that the situation was “very bad” ahead of the Premier League campaign.
United are without several World Cup participants, including France’s Paul Pogba, Belgium’s Romelu Lukaku and Marouane Fellaini, and England’s Jesse Lingard and Marcus Rashford among others, as they rest following a gruelling tournament.
“The pre-season is very bad, the positive thing is only for the young boys that have a fantastic opportunity to train with us,” Mourinho said.