Jose Mourinho: 'Give Paul Pogba time' at Manchester United

ByJen Offord

Updated 21/10/2016 at 07:14 GMT

All eyes were on Paul Pogba on Thursday night going into Manchester United's Europa League match against Fenerbace having scored only once so far since joining the club for a record fee of £89 million this summer.

Ahead of the match, BT Sport pundit and former Manchester United player Michael Owen had criticised Pogba, saying the midfielder was the cause of United's recent dip in form.

But Pogba 23, answered critics scoring twice, on Thursday - the first time as a result of a penalty conceded by the visitors for a foul by Simon Kjaer on Juan Mata.

Ahead of the penalty, a conversation took place between Pogba and Captain Wayne Rooney who fund himself back in the starting XI.

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Asked how it was decided that he would take it, Pogba told BT Sport: "I told him I wanted to take it and he let me took it.

"I'm very happy to score that penalty," Pogba said, almost certainly feeling the pressure of his critics by now.

Though he was particularly pleased that Rooney gave him the opportunity.

'Big respect'

He said: "For a player like him, Wayne Rooney - the captain - just to let me take the penalty is a big respect, so I'm very glad for that."

Manchester United's Paul Pogba celebrates scoring their third goal against Fenerbahce with team-mates

Image credit: Reuters

Manager Jose Mourinho also faced questions about the Frenchman after the match.

The self-proclaimed Special One told BT Sport: "Two days ago he was the worst player of the Premier League, 48 hours later he is phenomenal.

He added: "He [Pogba] needs time," encouraging doubters to give him a chance to earn his price tag.

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