Bruno Fernandes: We have a lot of confidence in Paul Pogba

The midfielder also opined that he feels expectations on the Frenchman are no less than Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi at their respective clubs.

Manchester United's newest signing Bruno Fernandes has come out in support of Paul Pogba after being ridiculed by critics that he has forgotten his quality as a footballer.

Bruno Fernandes opined that the Frenchman is being targeted by the critics only because they have high expectation from the World Cup-winning midfielder.

Pogba had a row with Liverpool legend Graeme Souness where Souness criticised the midfielder and has been vocal about him. However the 27-year old reciprocated by telling in United podcast this week that he did not even know who Souness was.

The former Liverpool player and manager also retaliated on Sky Sports' The Football Show on Tuesday, "The old saying in football comes to mind: Put your medals on the table. I've got a big table."

It has been a tough season for the midfielder as he was mostly sidelined and featured only eight times in an injury-hit season for the Red Devils. Paul Pogba has not made an appearance since Boxing Day and Bruno Fernandes feels that he was just unfairly criticized.

Bruno Fernandes told mufc.com, "We can say in football that people normally forget what you do good when you have a mistake. You can do good for 34 games, and one game you do bad and everyone will remember that."

"Paul (Pogba) is coming from a bad moment, because of the situation. When he played also, the club and the team was not good, because the expectations are high for Paul, because Paul is a top player and Manchester United pay a lot for him, and expectations are a lot for him," he added.

"It's normal when you are in that situation you don't play like a superstar, because everyone expects from Paul like they expect from (Cristiano) Ronaldo at Juventus or (Lionel) Messi at Barcelona," the Portuguese midfielder opined.

"Everyone expects this from Paul in Manchester, because they know he has the qualities for this. Also, this is confidence in Paul. The team, we have a lot of confidence in Paul."

It has been a troublesome tenure for the French international as he had had ankle and foot problems. However, Pogba was almost on his way to recovery last month when the footballing season went into a hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"He started training with us in the week before we stopped, so I think when he comes back he will start to play, and be in the team," Bruno Fernandes added.

"I think he has a lot to give, he has a lot of quality, and I think with the positive energy in the club – because we won a lot of games and we are in a good moment – everyone, the supporters and everything, will be more patient with Paul maybe."