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Paul Pogba: Zlatan Ibrahimovic reveals what the Frenchman ‘needs’ at Man Utd, defends ace
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC has leapt to the defence of his former Manchester United team-mate Paul Pogba, who he’s insisted is a ‘fantastic person and a fantastic footballer’.
Pogba: 'Hard to concentrate' on Man United after World Cup
Since returning to Old Trafford in August 2016, Pogba has found himself on the receiving of plenty of criticism.
The charismatic midfielder has often been accused of not justifying his £89million price tag and saving his best performances for the French national team.
Many United fans believe the criticism the 25-year-old attracts is somewhat unwarranted.
Ibrahimovic shares that belief, claiming the former Juventus man’s critics don’t see how hard he works off the pitch.
"He is a professional guy that works every game and never misses training or a game,” the former United striker said of Pogba in an interview with the BBC.
“Those are all the things that people do not see, you only get judged by what you can see on television or the 90 minutes in the stadium, that's where you have to perform.
"When you click with someone it just clicks.
"The connection on the field was amazing, we helped each other very well, I needed him and he needed me.
He is a professional guy that works every game and never misses training or a game
“The first year at United we had a fantastic year.
"They made me feel like Benjamin Button. I was getting younger and younger, then, unfortunately, I got my injury."
Ibrahimovic thoroughly enjoyed his time playing alongside Pogba, who he believes needs to be ‘guided’ in order to fulfil his potential.
"I had a good time because I got to know everyone, I was the mature guy with all these guys who were not mature,” Ibrahimovic said.
"Paul Pogba, I had never played with him before and I didn't know him as a person.
“We have the same management and when I got to know him I got to find a fantastic person and a fantastic footballer, but someone who needs to be guided.”
Pogba and his United team-mates will be back in action on Saturday afternoon, welcoming Crystal Palace to Old Trafford.
The Red Devils will be looking to bounce back from their 3-2 defeat to Manchester City, which has left them a staggering 12 points behind the league leaders.