Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s appointment as Manchester United manager has given Paul Pogba a much needed shot in the arm.
The midfielder feels rejuvenated under the caretaker boss, having been given more freedom compared to the “difficult” approach of Jose Mourinho.
A month on from being left on the bench in the 3-1 defeat at Liverpool that proved to be the Portuguese’s final match in charge, the 25-year-old produced another fine display as United beat Tottenham 1-0 on Sunday.
Pogba was the club’s player of the month for December and his exceptional pass led to Marcus Rashford’s winner at Wembley; it was the Frenchman’s fourth Premier League assist since Solskjaer took over.
He has also scored four goals in that period and is thriving under a manager who has given him the freedom to express himself.
“I’m enjoying playing football,” Pogba said.
“It was difficult in the system [under Mourinho], the tactics we used to play.
“I like to be more attacking, pressing, play high. Defending is not my best attribute.”
Pogba also said who he takes inspiration from when discussing getting forward more.
“My best example is Frank Lampard. He’s the one who made them runs and created a lot of chances, he scored a lot of goals so if I can do that then I can affect the play,” he told Sky Sports, adding Solskjaer told him to get in the box more often.
“Everything comes when you are free and you have the trust of the manager and the players so they make it easier for me as well.”
Pogba has been directly involved in 53 per cent of United’s 15 Premier League goals since Solskjaer took over – the result of being given the platform to shine and show why the club made him, at that time, the world’s most expensive player in 2016 by paying Juventus £89m for him.
“I know [Nemanja] Matic is there,” he added.
“I know we can press high and when we get the ball, I can shoot, I can pass and that’s what we have been doing that since the new manager came in.
“I know I have security behind me and I have freedom to go so it helps me.
“The season is still on and we want to go back to the top, back where we belong.”
