Captain Pogba? £89m star 'happy' with Man Utd form as armband comes up for grabs

Paul Pogba claims to be “happy” with his Manchester United form and admits it is “an honour” to captain the club as Michael Carrick prepares to pass the armband on.

The 25-year-old midfielder has faced criticism on a regular basis this season, with a bright start followed by a testing run once he fully recovered from an untimely injury.

Pogba spent two months on the sidelines with a hamstring problem between September and November and has seen his contribution and best position questioned since returning to the fold.

He has, however, raised his game of late and, fresh from being named United’s Player of the Month for April, believes he has improved on a debut campaign that delivered three trophies and nine goals.

Pogba told Premier League Productions: "I had a big injury and missed a lot of games, but now I feel much better.

"And I've been proving it with more assists. I'm not hitting the crossbar and the post like last season, so I'm happy. I've been involved in a few goals so I'm pretty happy."

Pogba has contributed six goals and 11 assists across Premier League and Champions League competition this season.

He has also skippered United at times, with Jose Mourinho handing him the armband for a European clash with Basel and festive fixtures against Burnley, Southampton, Everton and Derby.

The £89 million man has welcomed that added responsibility and could be a contender to inherit the role on a permanent basis when Michael Carrick slips into retirement this summer.

The likes of Antonio Valencia, Nemanja Matic and David de Gea will also be in the mix for that post, but Pogba is delighted to have seen his standing in a star-studded squad recognised.

He added: "It's good that the manager believes in you, and the players.

"It's an honour to wear the captain's [armband], and just to wear the shirt and play at Old Trafford. I was here in the Academy and for me it was a dream to play for the first-team, and I did it.

"So yeah, I'm very proud."