Paul Pogba: Why I feel better with Nemanja Matic in the team

Updated 16/08/2017 at 08:52 GMT

Paul Pogba says the signing of Nemanja Matic could liberate him at Manchester United this season, with the club’s record signing greatly encouraged by the 4-0 win over West Ham on the opening Premier League weekend.

Manchester United's French midfielder Paul Pogba (C) celebrates with teammates

Image credit: Getty Images

Sunday’s game was the first time United had won by a four-goal margin at home in the league under Jose Mourinho, with Pogba on the scoresheet along with Anthony Martial and two-goal debutant Romelu Lukaku.

Matic, a £40m signing from Chelsea over the summer, was named man of the match and was credited with providing United with a robust platform in midfield, from which their more attacking players could impress.

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Pogba’s first season at United saw him cycle through midfield partners and combinations without ever really settling into his groove, but the France international is certainly happy to have Matic alongside him.

"Against West Ham, Matic was starting behind and I could worry more about attacking. I feel good playing that way, but it depends on what the manager wants,” he said,

I’m always confident. I always give my best and I know more about the Premier League and I’ve adapted more with the team. When you know the team more, you know how to play alongside them. You get on better. You just get a different feeling. You could see against West Ham, everybody was getting along well and playing for each other.

Pogba also said that he was relieved to focus on football, rather than his price tag, after Paris Saint-Germain paid £198m to sign Neymar from Barcelona, a fee which dwarfed the previous record of £89m which United paid to Juventus last season for the midfielder.

"Your first question now was about football, but last season it was about the price, so you can see the difference," said Pogba.

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