'Pogba performs best when he's angry' - Petit wants France passion from Man Utd star

Paul Pogba has been urged to get angry while on World Cup duty with France, with Emmanuel Petit considering the Manchester United midfielder to be at his best when playing with passion.

The 25-year-old is renowned for his relaxed approach to life, with his social media activity highlighting how happy-go-lucky he likes to be.

It has, however, been suggested that his antics away from the field are taking away from his performances on it, with critics accusing a man signed by United for £89 million (€101m/$119m) with failing to fulfill his true potential.

Petit has seen glimpses of that ability, though, and believes that Pogba performs at his peak when frustrated and trying to prove a point.

The 1998 World Cup winner is looking for more of that in Russia this summer, telling Paddy Power: “We all know Pogba has great potential but I want to see the same Pogba I saw against Manchester City when United won 3-2.

“I want to see that Pogba, with the mindset that he is against the world, when he has no option but to show to the rest of the world that he has the potential to be one of the best in his position.

“He thrives on anger sometimes and I want that Pogba. I wish we could have Pogba like this every game.

“Every time he is angry, every time he has this anger inside of him and he wants to show people are wrong, I know I want this guy.”

“Petit, who won the World Cup on home soil in 1998 alongside current France boss Didier Deschamps, added: “Something I have been saying for ages is that Didier has a luxury that former managers didn’t have in terms of options.

“He can make two national teams with the same level, no problems at all.

“So stability could be something very important to help the players in terms of confidence. He has to stick with his decisions even if some players offer big criticism.

“We know we have very talented individual players but we know as well that, for the moment, we don’t have a team.”

France, who are among the favourites to go all the way in Russia, will open their World Cup 2018 campaign against Australia on June 16.

It remains to be seen whether Pogba will line up in that fixture, with former players such as Frank Leboeuf suggesting that he should miss out but Deschamps hinting that he will be included from the start.