French give Pogba freedom to lead

– France and Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba (right) has told AFP that his international team-mates give him the freedom to express himself and be the team’s leader.

Pogba has faced criticism for failing to repeat his impressive performances at the World Cup for United, who have slumped early in the season.

Reunited with his countrymen, he was happy to recall that defender Adil Rami described him as the team’s “real leader” at the World Cup.

“It really pleased me to hear Adil say that,” Pogba said. “... It’s the squad who gave me the freedom to express myself.

“[At] 25 years old, I’m between

Clairefontaine-en-Yvelines

the two sets of players, the oldest and the youngest. That allows me to relay messages and have the chance to be heard.”

France face Iceland in a friendly in Guingamp today and resume their Nations League campaign at home to Germany on October 16.

Pogba said the France captaincy was not one of his main goals.

“... Being here is already a big thing for me,” he said. “You don’t have to be captain to speak... As a leader you can talk on the pitch but I’ve seen leaders who didn’t necessarily talk.”

Pogba, one of six French players nominated for the Ballon d’Or on Monday, believes it should go to one of his team-mates.

“There are a lot of them who deserve it,” he said. –