Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba highlighted his side’s desire to clinch the Europa League trophy ahead of their first-leg tie against Anderlecht in Belgium.

The world’s most-expensive player has been the target of wide-spread criticism following his move from Juventus in August 2016, however the France international has suggested that the criticism directed his way in unjust.

‘I feel great, to be honest,’ he told Manchester United’s website.

‘We won two trophies but, obviously, I always want to do better. I am doing good, the team is doing good and we are looking to win the Europa League and fight for the top four. I can forget about the transfer fee, it’s in the past, I think about the pitch and doing good for the team – that’s it.

‘I think people are looking at me and judging me for not scoring goals, but that’s football. They want me to score goals because of the mountain of the transfer. My job is to be a midfielder, to make assists.

‘The transfer is something else, the pitch is something else. I’m doing a job. When I pass to people and they don’t score, it can happen. People want me to score because of the transfer fee, but I don’t think about that.

‘If I can make the team win, I will do it. If I was scoring the goals that had hit the crossbar, I don’t think people would be saying this,’ he added.

Pogba also alluded to the biggest difference between the standard of football in the Premier League as opposed to the Serie A.

‘In Italy, it’s more tactical.’

‘Less goals. But, in England, it’s attacking and it’s very difficult. The top five and top two are very close. Probably, it’s very testing, you don’t know what’s going to happen – Arsenal lost 3-0 to Crystal Palace,’ he concluded.

Manchester United will be hoping to continue their winning ways when they face Anderlecht in the Europa League quarter-finals on Thursday.

The match at Stade Constant Vanden Stock kicks off at 21:05.

Image: EPA/Peter Powell