Rio Ferdinand has challenged Paul Pogba to do his talking on the pitch and ensure his flashy lifestyle does not overshadow his performanc...
Rio Ferdinand has challenged Paul Pogba to do his talking on the pitch and ensure his flashy lifestyle does not overshadow his performances.
Pogba scored twice as Manchester United fought back from two goals down to beat Manchester City 3-2 on Saturday.
His second-half display was one of his best in a United shirt, and Ferdinand urged Pogba to focus on replicating that form week after week.
"Paul Pogba was the talk before the game and he went on to make sure he was the talk after it, for the reasons he so desperately wants them to be," Ferdinand wrote on Instagram. "Knowing Paul, he will want to be talked about as a great player, but his extravagant hairstyles and dance moves have too often overshadowed his performances.
"Flashy hair and being seen to enjoy every bit of life is just the way Paul Pogba is and that's his choice, so it must be respected.
"All he has to do is make sure he keeps producing performances and goals like we saw against City. That will be the conversation with him rather than the other stuff."
Ferdinand, the United legend, also insisted Jose Mourinho played his part in Pogba's second-half performance against City.
The 25-year-old has often been used in a deeper midfield role since returning to Old Trafford in a £89.3 million deal from Juventus in 2016, but Ferdinand believes Pogba must play further forward to get the best out of him.
"He was let free or had to play in a more advanced role due to the score line, which allowed him to do what he does best -- less defensive responsibility and allowed to attack like he learnt and did at Juventus, with the results we saw in the second half at City.
"That's the pressure he puts on himself, but one I'm sure he can deal with."
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