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PARIS. — France and Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has said in an interview 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.

The subject of Pogba’s reportedly fraught relationship with United boss Jose Mourinho was strictly off the table for the interview at France’s international training base.

United’s difficult start in the Premier League all seems a long away from France’s glory in Russia, but reunited again with his France team-mates, Pogba was happy to recall that defender Adil Rami had described him as the team’s “real leader” at the World Cup.

“It really pleased me to hear Adil say that,” Pogba said. “I would never say it’s me, it’s the squad who put me in that position, who gave me the freedom to express myself. They gave me confidence as well. I couldn’t have done it without them. — AFP.