France coach Didier Deschamps says only Paul Pogba can help himself following a difficult start to the season at Premier League club, Manchester United.
Pogba has struggled to find his best form at Old Trafford this term, having played 11 times for United in all competitions. He has started only five of those games and tasted defeat on three of those occasions.
Pogba gave away a penalty in his last Premier League start as Manchester United lost 0-1 at home to Arsenal. He was also on from the start for the Red Devils as they slumped to a 6-1 defeat at home to Tottenham Hotspur.
Deschamps claims Pogba cannot be happy with life at United but suggested only he can help himself.
“I have no advice,” said Deschamps ahead of France’s friendly with Finland on Wednesday.
“I know him well and he knows the group well.”He’s in a situation with his club where he can’t be happy and satisfied with his playing time or his positioning.
“He had concerns, like the COVID-19 which hit him quite hard. He needs to find some rhythm. He has been playing since, but we can’t help him be fulfilled in what he does.”
Pogba is by no means the only player in Deschamps’ squad going through a tricky period – Raphael Varane is as well. The centre-back endured a miserable match in Real Madrid’s 4-1 defeat to Valencia on Sunday, scoring an own goal, but Deschamps defended him.
“The players are in a series of matches every three days,” he said.
“I know what he is capable of, same with [Presnel] Kimpembe. You all told me he matured, and he proved it in the last game with us.
“And there, the last match he just played, it went less well and you forget everything he did well? You’ve seen the matches, the Champions League, the league… The intensity is no longer there.
“They’ve been doing that [playing every three days] for the last three weeks and it inevitably leads to less physical intensity, more injuries… And that’s valid for all players.”
Deschamps also confirmed Houssem Aouar, an injury replacement for Nabil Fekir, has had to pull out due to an issue of his own – a replacement will not be called up. France face Portugal and Sweden in a Nations League double-header after the meeting with Finland.
