World Cup 2018: Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho hails ‘mature’ Paul Pogba after France heroics despite feud
The pair have not always seen eye-to-eye at Old Trafford but Pogba has been a huge driving force in Russia as France await the winners of England vs Croatia in Sunday's World Cup final
MANCHESTER UNITED boss Jose Mourinho was full of praise for his midfielder Paul Pogba as France reach the World Cup final.
The Special One had special praise for Pogba claiming the United star showed “great maturity” in the narrow win over Belgium in St Petersburg.
The Old Trafford boss has stuck the boot into the 25-year-old during their two seasons together but was impressed with Frenchman’s display in Tuesday's World Cup semi-final.
The former Real Madrid boss was also full of praise for Raphael Varane, who Mourinho took to the Bernabeu in 2011.
He told RT: “They tried to control the game which they did with a fantastic performance by Varane and a very good performance by Pogba.
“Pogba was mature, he played with great maturity. When he had to hold position and to keep control of the game he did.
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'When (France boss) Deschamps took off (Olivier) Giroud to bring on (Steven) Nzonzi then Pogba had more freedom but freedom not to do silly things.
“Freedom to keep the ball away from the dangerous areas.
“To keep the ball, to assist (Antoine) Griezmann for a great chance. He was very, very mature.”
Despite calls from fans and pundits for Deschamps to drop him before the tournament, Pogba has started five of France's six World Cup matches so far.
The only game he missed was the dead rubber draw with Denmark in the group stage.