Pogba blames Euro 2016 for slow start to life at United

Joe Williams

Paul Pogba: Joined United for a world-record fee in the summer

Paul Pogba thinks his slow start at Manchester United was down to not having a pre-season due to playing for France at Euro 2016.

The 23-year-old returned to Old Trafford in the summer in a deal worth £89million from Serie A side Juventus but failed to hit the ground running as United struggled to perform.

However, despite an under-par performance in the Red Devils’ 1-1 draw with Liverpool, Pogba is now starting to show the form that persuaded United’s hierarchy to part with a world-record fee.

“No, I’ve always worked in training,” he told French outlet SFR Sport.

“With the team, it’s going much better. I think we have built understanding with each other.

“We win once, we win twice, we change one, two players, the matches keep coming, but we’re in better form.

“I’m in a lot better shape, too, because I didn’t have a pre-season like everyone else, I arrived later.

“I don’t think there was a moment where everything just clicked. It just came with time.”