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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National

'I was in the shadows' - Man Utd star Paul Pogba says Ole Gunner Solskjaer has brought the smile back to his face

Pogba says he was 'in the shadows' before Solskjaer's arrival. (Picture: Getty Images)

Paul Pogba says he has not stopped smiling since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho as Manchester United boss.

Pogba repeatedly clashed with Mourinho over his performances and attitude, and he was named on the bench in four of the Portuguese's last six games in charge.

But he has started all five of Solskjaer's League wins, scoring braces against Huddersfield and Bournemouth, and his magnificent pass assisted Marcus Rashford's winner at Tottenham on Sunday.

Afterwards, the World Cup winner said: "Before the coach arrived I was in the shadows, on the bench, and I accepted that. It is a pleasure to play again. That’s normal. Now I am always smiling.

"It’s a pleasure to be reunited with [Solskjaer]. I knew him from the [United] academy and the reserves, when his nickname was ‘SuperSub’. He is doing a really good job.

"As a player he knew the mentality of this club. He has come back to help us and it is going very well. The season is long so let’s see how it goes.

"I am playing a bit further forward. I have more security behind me, it gives me the freedom to go forwards to try to get into the box and support the strikers."

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