London: Paul Pogba believes too much is expected of him at Manchester United due to his world record transfer fee and stressed that he is doing a fine job as a midfielder for the Premier League club.
Pogba, who returned to United from Italian champions Juventus for $111.86 million in August, has been subjected to a constant wave of criticism after scoring just seven goals in 43 appearances this campaign.
“When I give some assists to people and we don’t score it can happen, nobody talks about this — but it’s fine because they want me to score goals because of the mountain of the transfer… Too much is expected of me,” the France international told British media.
“The people are looking at me. They judge me for not scoring goals... I am doing a job.. I am trying my best. I am a midfield player and people think I’m an attacking player.
“People are looking me saying ‘Pogba should score goals’, ‘Pogba should do this’ — I think you are putting me like as a striker, defender and midfielder.”
United, who are fifth in the league, host Chelsea on Sunday and last won a league game against the leaders in 2012. The last three league meetings between the sides at Old Trafford have all ended in draws.
Jose Mourinho has said United will field a strong squad on Sunday’s despite the game being sandwiched between the two-legged Europa League quarter-final against Anderlecht.
“When it is still mathematically possible to finish in the top four I think if we play against Chelsea with our second team you would kill me. The football country would kill me,” Mourinho told British media. “There is no reason not to try while mathematically possible. If on a certain moment of the season we have no chances to get top four and we are still in the Europa League then nobody can criticise.”
Chelasea goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has said manager Antonio Conte will ensure Chelsea stay firmly focused on maintaining their comfortable lead at the top of the Premier League to keep the chasing pack at arm’s length.
“A lot of players have the will to win, but sometimes if winning becomes a habit, the hunger might drop and you will lose some games,” Courtois told British media. “But it’s always nice to have a manager who keeps the players at the level they need to have, who keeps our focus and doesn’t allow us to drop our guard.”
Courtois also urged his side not become apprehensive as they edge ever closer to the finish line. “To win the title, we just have to do the same as we have done over the last few months. We have to stay calm, whatever happens,” the Belgium international added. “We just have to keep our winning mentality and fight until the end.”
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s success on the pitch has been recognised by the PFA with Eden Hazard and N’Golo Kante making the shortlist for the organisation’s Players’ Player of the Year award. The six-player list named on Thursday also includes striker Harry Kane, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez.
