Zlatan Ibrahimovic has backed Paul Pogba to flourish at Manchester United now he has been given the freedom to express himself by manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Swedish striker was reluctant to blame either the Frenchman or ex-United boss Jose Mourinho for the relationship between the pair breaking down.

Ibrahimovic was quoted by ESPN FC as saying that managers and players sometimes just don’t see eye to eye:

“Paul didn’t feel confidence from the coach, and the coach didn’t feel confidence for Paul. It’s difficult to perform as a player if you don’t have confidence from the coach and you don’t have that energy, that motivation, and Jose felt the same thing about Paul.

“These things happen, and that is part of the game also; I mean, not everybody can go among each other and do well together.”

“I feel like you come to a moment where it is too blocked and one goes or the other one goes. At this moment, the coach left, and Paul is more free now.”

Pogba’s penalty in the 2-1 win over Brighton on Saturday took his total to five goals and four assists in six league games since Solskjaer took charge.

His ten goals in all competitions this campaign means he has already surpassed his most prolific season in front of goal for United despite there being four months to go in the season.

Like many players, Pogba is seemingly enjoying life under the new regime, and he will be integral if United are to overhaul Arsenal and Chelsea to clinch a top-four spot.