Three and easy as Pog praises Alexis

PAUL Pogba believes his understanding with Alexis Sanchez is starting to develop after his man-ofthe-match display in the Manchester derby on Saturday.

United midfielder Pogba scored twice within 10 minutes of the restart to extinguish City’s 2-0 lead, and Sanchez’s whipped free-kick was volleyed in by Chris Smalling to secure a sensational comeback.

Pogba predictably dominated the post-match analysis by emphatically responding to Pep Guardiola’s claim on Friday that he was offered to City by his agent, Mino Raiola, but Sanchez was particularly influential in the second-half. The Chilean played a key role in Pogba’s first and provided the assist for his headed equaliser.

Sanchez’s January arrival seemed to have an adverse impact on Pogba’s United form but the two have excelled in recent Premier League wins, and Pogba lauded the former Arsenal forward’s role in his City strikes.

“We knew we had to score goals,” Pogba told Sky Sports. “We were losing 2-0. They love to attack, they don’t love to defend, so I had to go in the box because we play in a three.

“I didn’t think about anything [as I ran into the area]. I saw the ball of Alexis, I know he loves to play direct, so when he passed it – and I saw the space – I just went.

“It’s hard to make this run when you play in a two because you have to stay,” Pogba added. “When we have three, I can go forward.”