Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba blasts critics following match-winning performance

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has hit out at his critics following a match-winning display in France's latest World Cup qualifier. The 23-year-old Frenchman netted the only goal for Les Blues against the Netherlands on Monday (10 October) and Pogba subsequently insisted more focus should centre on his team, not him.

Pogba has produced a series of modest performances since his world record-breaking switch from Juventus to United over the summer. However, Pogba has pointed out that he is simply one member in a team of eleven, suggesting the criticism he has faced in recent weeks has been unfair.

"I play for the France team. It's not the Pogba team," the transfer record-breaking United midfielder told Canal+. "We're not going to start talking individuals. I play for the team and I always play for the team. It's not always nice to hear criticism, but that's football. I am a person who tries things. We always grow and learn. I'm still young. I have goals, we have goals. We want to go to the World Cup."

Pogba's remarks come shortly after France manager Didier Deschamps accused the United star of under-performing." He can and must do better. When he is this way in a defensive role it's not the best for him. He's more a part of the build up of play," Deschamps said of United's summer signing, according to The Sun.

However, Pogba's international teammate, Antoine Griezmann, has defended the midfielder, pointing out that he is being asked to play in a different role for the national team. "He has a different style here than with Juventus or Manchester United. He must play for the team and needs time to do it. He needs a bit of affection," Griezmann said of Pogba.