Captain Rio is my model

WORLD CUP hero Paul Pogba believes he can be a true leader for Manchester United – because he “loves” the club and has learned from the best.

The France star was disappointed Jose Mourinho chose Antonio Valencia ahead of him for the captaincy at Old Trafford this season in another put-down of the £89million star.

But after skippering the team to a 2-1 opening night Premier League win against Leicester in Valencia’s injury absence, Pogba reckons his experience of watching great captains at work has given him the perfect apprenticeship.

“When I was first at United, Rio Ferdinand was captain and Patrice Evra too,” said Pogba.

“Then I went to Juventus and Giorgio Chiellini was a captain, Gianluigi Buffon was a captain.

“When I was younger Michael Carrick was sometimes a captain as well. I learned from all of them, but I don’t think there is a book about how to become one.

“You learn leadership, on and off the pitch. It’s not just about having the armband. I have always been talking to my team-mates. It’s not a role that I give to myself. I just try to help the team as much as possible, like they helped me too.

“Having the armband it’s not like, ‘Oh, I will show that I am a real captain and have to do extra work’. No. I just have to be myself and do what I know, do what I can do and do what I know I should do.” Captaining the side against Leicester gave Pogba a real thrill and was an honour.

“I always loved this club. I love the club. I grew up here. I came through the academy to play for the first team. For me, it was a dream come true.

“And wearing this armband, it’s means even more because of the players that played here, the people that have worn this.

“It’s obviously an honour for me. When I have the armband, I have the confidence of the fans.”