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Man Utd news: Defoe reveals Paul Pogba conversation - this is what he said about United
MANCHESTER UNITED star Paul Pogba knows that he must produce more on the pitch for his club side.
Mourinho: I've never been so happy with Pogba as I am now
That is according to Bournemouth striker Jermain Defoe, who has revealed a conversation he had with Pogba earlier this year.
Paul Pogba has often been the subject of criticism since his return to United in 2016.
The France international has also hit the headlines of late over reports he has fallen out with manager Jose Mourinho, though that has been disputed.
He has also been linked with a move to La Liga giants Barcelona, with the Spanish window open until the end of the month.
He knows he needs to do more, he said to me ‘I want to do more, it’s not as easy as people think’
But Defoe says Pogba has got the right attitude to prove his doubters wrong at Manchester United.
Defoe spoke to Pogba when United beat Bournemouth 2-0 back in April, where Pogba scored the visitors' second goal.
“It’s funny, I spoke to Paul when they came down to Bournemouth,” Defoe said on Goals on Sunday.
“He knows he needs to do more, he said to me ‘I want to do more, it’s not as easy as people think’.
“There’s times where he struggled with his fitness and he’s played in games not 100 per cent fit.
“But I think he’s one of those characters where he knows he needs to do well, he’s got the right attitude.”
Pogba started for United in their opening day win over Leicester, despite only returning to training four days earlier.
He was made captain on the night due to the absence of Antonio Valencia.
Dean Saunders: Pogba needs to do his talking on the pitch
And Defoe was impressed with how quickly the 25-year-old has settled back in after the World Cup.
“To be honest, to come back after a World Cup, especially when you’ve won, not really have a rest and to put in a performance, especially in the first 20 minutes, it’s something that’s not easy,” he said.
“So credit to him to be honest.”
Pogba and United are back in action this afternoon when they visit Brighton (4pm).
Defoe is working as a pundit for Sky Sports for the game at the AMEX.