Football
Arindam Rej, Man United Correspondent 8y

Expectations of Paul Pogba too high - France boss Didier Deschamps

France head coach Didier Deschamps says that expectations surrounding Manchester United's Paul Pogba are too high.

Midfielder Pogba has made an unconvincing start to his second stint at the club, having rejoined them for a world record transfer fee of £89.3m from Juventus over the summer. On Sunday, the Frenchman missed clear scoring chances in United's 1-1 draw against Stoke City at Old Trafford.

Speaking at a news conference at Clairefontaine, Deschamps said: "He has changed his club team and needs to find his bearing with his new teammates. With Paul, we always expect more. When he does something neutral, often it is not enough.

"He is someone we expect to make assists in every game -- there is an expectation that is too large.

"Paul is OK in his own head. He knows what he wants."

Pogba also failed to shine at Euro 2016 before joining United and Deschamps must try to get the best from him in France's imminent World Cup qualifying matches against Bulgaria on Friday and the Netherlands on the following Monday.

Pogba's brother Florentin, a defender for St Etienne, said that the United midfielder will come good, once the team have found the right tactics.

He told Telefoot: "Paul is the image of the Manchester United team at the moment. They've a new coach, new players. They need to find a gameplan.

"'He is slowly starting to perform well and I trust him. After a while, he will bring all what he can do for the team.

"He knows he will always have media pressure. He does not need to change. Between us, we do not talk about it anyway."

Stoke manager Mark Hughes admitted in his news conference after Sunday's game that they had targeted United's holding midfield combination -- which sees Pogba advancing and often leaving Ander Herrera behind -- as a weakness.

He explained: "We looked at their games and that was something that was certainly highlighted."

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