• Manchester United's Paul Pogba celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates against Aston Villa. Reuters
    Manchester United's Paul Pogba celebrates scoring their third goal with teammates against Aston Villa. Reuters
  • Paul Pogba of Manchester United celebrates after scoring his team's third goal against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Thursday. Getty
    Paul Pogba of Manchester United celebrates after scoring his team's third goal against Aston Villa at Villa Park on Thursday. Getty
  • Manchester United's Paul Pogba with teammate Bruno Fernandes at Villa Park. EPA
    Manchester United's Paul Pogba with teammate Bruno Fernandes at Villa Park. EPA
  • Manchester United's Paul Pogba scored his first league goal after a year. AP
    Manchester United's Paul Pogba scored his first league goal after a year. AP
  • Manchester United's Paul Pogba, left, celebrates with teammate Bruno Fernandes after scoring his team's third goal. AP
    Manchester United's Paul Pogba, left, celebrates with teammate Bruno Fernandes after scoring his team's third goal. AP
  • Manchester United's Paul Pogba, left, stretches after going down late in the game don Thursday. PA
    Manchester United's Paul Pogba, left, stretches after going down late in the game don Thursday. PA
  • Manchester United's Paul Pogba attempts to control the ball during the match against Aston Villa. AP
    Manchester United's Paul Pogba attempts to control the ball during the match against Aston Villa. AP
  • Manchester United's Paul Pogba, right, and Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa shake hands after the match at Villa Park on Thursday. AP
    Manchester United's Paul Pogba, right, and Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa shake hands after the match at Villa Park on Thursday. AP
  • Paul Pogba at Villa Park in Birmingham. AFP
    Paul Pogba at Villa Park in Birmingham. AFP
  • Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa with Manchester United's Paul Pogba. Reuters
    Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa with Manchester United's Paul Pogba. Reuters
  • Manchester United's Paul Pogba vies with Aston Villa's midfielder Trezeguet. AFP
    Manchester United's Paul Pogba vies with Aston Villa's midfielder Trezeguet. AFP

Smile is back on Paul Pogba's face after Manchester United star ends goal drought


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Paul Pogba said he is focused on winning the FA Cup and Europa League rather than his Manchester United future after scoring his first league goal since April 2019.

The World Cup winner scored his first goal of an injury-ravaged campaign on Thursday, wrapping up a 3-0 Premier League win at Aston Villa.

Pogba is playing with freedom a year on from admitting his openness to a move away from Old Trafford, with the France international even reportedly willing to extend his deal.

Asked if he has had a change of heart about staying at the club, the 27-year-old told Sky Sports: "Right now, I've been injured for a very long time.

"I focused on myself to get back and help the team as much as I can.

"This year we have two goals: to go for the Europa League and the FA Cup. So, we focus on that."

Pogba's desire for a successful end to the season was a common theme in his post-match interview.

"We're really pleased with ourselves but we know we have to carry on," he said.

"We talk before the game, we talk in training that we have to carry on. That's what Manchester is.

"It's a big club and we want to keep the level up always.

"The performance today and the past few weeks, they are very good and they are the standard of Manchester United.

"We didn't win the Premier League. I mean, that's the goal. We didn't win anything this year, so obviously we have to keep working. There's a lot to do. A lot."

Apart from Pogba, Bruno Fernandes's penalty was the main talking point along with 18-year-old Mason Greenwood's latest stunning goal.

"It's very good," he said of the academy graduate. "I enjoy to see them play up front.

"I enjoy this kid in training and in the game and I will keep pushing him to be at the top. He has so much to do and he can do even more.

"What he's doing now is just his talent and he's showed he can play in this team."

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Aston Villa v Manchester United ratings

  • ASTON VILLA RATINGS: Pepe Reina - 6: Good save down low in the first half from a Greenwood drive and blocked well with his leg to deny Rashford late on. No chance with goals and was let down by poor defending in front of him. AFP
    ASTON VILLA RATINGS: Pepe Reina - 6: Good save down low in the first half from a Greenwood drive and blocked well with his leg to deny Rashford late on. No chance with goals and was let down by poor defending in front of him. AFP
  • Ezri Konsa 6: Swung over a couple of beautiful crosses from the right in the first half, one of which Grealish should have done better with a volley. Can feel hard done by with the penalty after Fernandes made the most of an innocuous challenge. AFP
    Ezri Konsa 6: Swung over a couple of beautiful crosses from the right in the first half, one of which Grealish should have done better with a volley. Can feel hard done by with the penalty after Fernandes made the most of an innocuous challenge. AFP
  • Kortney Hause 7: Stuck to his task well up against an in-form United attack. AFP
    Kortney Hause 7: Stuck to his task well up against an in-form United attack. AFP
  • Tyrone Mings - 5: Got to do better with United's second goal when he should have closed down Greenwood instead of allowing him a free shot at goal. A key moment in the match. AFP
    Tyrone Mings - 5: Got to do better with United's second goal when he should have closed down Greenwood instead of allowing him a free shot at goal. A key moment in the match. AFP
  • Neil Taylor - 6: Left-back worked his heart out, one fantastic last-ditch tackle to deny Martial in second half. AFP
    Neil Taylor - 6: Left-back worked his heart out, one fantastic last-ditch tackle to deny Martial in second half. AFP
  • Douglas Luiz - 6: Usually Villa's most consistent player, confidence seemed to drain out of the midfielder once United went two-up. Unusually slack with his passing. Looked tired. Getty
    Douglas Luiz - 6: Usually Villa's most consistent player, confidence seemed to drain out of the midfielder once United went two-up. Unusually slack with his passing. Looked tired. Getty
  • John McGinn - 6: Scottish midfielder tried to make things happen but his passing radar veered between spot on and well off target. AFP
    John McGinn - 6: Scottish midfielder tried to make things happen but his passing radar veered between spot on and well off target. AFP
  • Anwar El Ghazi - 6: Some moments in the first half but disappeared the longer the game wore on. AFP
    Anwar El Ghazi - 6: Some moments in the first half but disappeared the longer the game wore on. AFP
  • Trezeguet - 6: Unlucky in first half when the Egyptian stole the ball off Pogba before clipping a side-foot shot onto the base of the post. EPA
    Trezeguet - 6: Unlucky in first half when the Egyptian stole the ball off Pogba before clipping a side-foot shot onto the base of the post. EPA
  • Jack Grealish - 4: The player linked with a big-money move to United flattered to deceive for Villa. Plenty of running but was constantly playing too deep or two wide to hurt United. Had chance to open the scoring in first half but could only volley first-time shot over the bar. A poor lack of urgency to close down Pogba for the Frenchman's goal. Getty
    Jack Grealish - 4: The player linked with a big-money move to United flattered to deceive for Villa. Plenty of running but was constantly playing too deep or two wide to hurt United. Had chance to open the scoring in first half but could only volley first-time shot over the bar. A poor lack of urgency to close down Pogba for the Frenchman's goal. Getty
  • Mbwana Samatta - 4: No suggestion that he is the answer to Villa's lack of goals. The Tanzanian never looked like scoring and failed to hold the ball up which is a big problem when you're a lone striker. No surprise he was hooked before the hour mark. AP
    Mbwana Samatta - 4: No suggestion that he is the answer to Villa's lack of goals. The Tanzanian never looked like scoring and failed to hold the ball up which is a big problem when you're a lone striker. No surprise he was hooked before the hour mark. AP
  • SUBS: Conor Hourihane - (On for El Ghazi 58') 6: Had Villa's only real chance of the second half by his shot was deflected for a corner by WIlliams. Getty
    SUBS: Conor Hourihane - (On for El Ghazi 58') 6: Had Villa's only real chance of the second half by his shot was deflected for a corner by WIlliams. Getty
  • Keinan Davis - (On for Samatta 59') 5: Villa were non-existent as an attacking threat in the second half and Davis was given little or no support. EPA
    Keinan Davis - (On for Samatta 59') 5: Villa were non-existent as an attacking threat in the second half and Davis was given little or no support. EPA
  • Marvelous Nakamba (On for McGinn 59') 6: No real impact but United were in total control by the time he came on. Reuters
    Marvelous Nakamba (On for McGinn 59') 6: No real impact but United were in total control by the time he came on. Reuters
  • MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea - 7: No real mistakes and a clean sheet. EPA
    MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea - 7: No real mistakes and a clean sheet. EPA
  • Aaron Wan-Bissaka 6: Shaky start at back post. Yellow card for needless challenge on Samatta who was moving away from goal. Gets so far forward, which is exactly what his manager wants. Reuters
    Aaron Wan-Bissaka 6: Shaky start at back post. Yellow card for needless challenge on Samatta who was moving away from goal. Gets so far forward, which is exactly what his manager wants. Reuters
  • Victor Lindelof - 7: Held position well which meant Trezeguet’s early shot had to come from distance. PA
    Victor Lindelof - 7: Held position well which meant Trezeguet’s early shot had to come from distance. PA
  • Harry Maguire - 7: Fine under pressure with Villa’s high early press. Miscue to Samatta give Villa a rare opening. AFP
    Harry Maguire - 7: Fine under pressure with Villa’s high early press. Miscue to Samatta give Villa a rare opening. AFP
  • Luke Shaw - 7: Started last 17 games in all competitions. Not always steady but wonderful cross for Fernandes’ header before half time. AP
    Luke Shaw - 7: Started last 17 games in all competitions. Not always steady but wonderful cross for Fernandes’ header before half time. AP
  • Nemanja Matic - 7: Aged 31, wears 31, happy with his new 31 year contract. Played deep, booked for clipping Jack Grealish’s 3.1cms shin pads. As busy as traffic on the nearby M6. Getty
    Nemanja Matic - 7: Aged 31, wears 31, happy with his new 31 year contract. Played deep, booked for clipping Jack Grealish’s 3.1cms shin pads. As busy as traffic on the nearby M6. Getty
  • Paul Pogba - 8: Beautiful cross-field pass for Rashford showed his incredible range of passing. Plus a lovely curled low shot for United’s third – and his first of the season. More touches than any player on the pitch. AFP
    Paul Pogba - 8: Beautiful cross-field pass for Rashford showed his incredible range of passing. Plus a lovely curled low shot for United’s third – and his first of the season. More touches than any player on the pitch. AFP
  • Bruno Fernandes - 8: Won and converted the controversial penalty with a Zidane-style turn for United’s opening goal. Four penalties in his eight MUFC goals. Headed over just before half time and a couple of poor balls. AFP
    Bruno Fernandes - 8: Won and converted the controversial penalty with a Zidane-style turn for United’s opening goal. Four penalties in his eight MUFC goals. Headed over just before half time and a couple of poor balls. AFP
  • Marcus Rashford - 7: Brilliant start to second half with a Cruyff turn to set up Wan Bissaka. Whipped a fine corner too, but quiet in first half and still not quite on it. AFP
    Marcus Rashford - 7: Brilliant start to second half with a Cruyff turn to set up Wan Bissaka. Whipped a fine corner too, but quiet in first half and still not quite on it. AFP
  • Mason Greenwood - 8: Bringer of joy amid the pain on planet Earth. The most exciting teenager in football right now.gh. AFP
    Mason Greenwood - 8: Bringer of joy amid the pain on planet Earth. The most exciting teenager in football right now.gh. AFP
  • Anthony Martial - 8: Beautiful early touches and runs to be United’s main early threat. Won ball off Mings to set up United’s second. Smashed underside of cross bar in second half. Only second to Fernandes as United’s best player in this run.. AFP
    Anthony Martial - 8: Beautiful early touches and runs to be United’s main early threat. Won ball off Mings to set up United’s second. Smashed underside of cross bar in second half. Only second to Fernandes as United’s best player in this run.. AFP
  • SUBS: Brandon Williams - (On for Wan-Bissaka 66') 6: Brought plenty of energy. Getty
    SUBS: Brandon Williams - (On for Wan-Bissaka 66') 6: Brought plenty of energy. Getty
  • Scott McTominay - (On for Matic 66') 6: Same as Fred. Comes on to hold the fort in the second wave and holds it well. Reuters
    Scott McTominay - (On for Matic 66') 6: Same as Fred. Comes on to hold the fort in the second wave and holds it well. Reuters
  • Fred - (On for Fernandes 71') 6: Would rather be starting, but he’s fine in an important supporting role and pulled off a bit of trickery. Getty
    Fred - (On for Fernandes 71') 6: Would rather be starting, but he’s fine in an important supporting role and pulled off a bit of trickery. Getty
  • Daniel James - (On for Greenwood 79'): NA: Energetic. Reuters
    Daniel James - (On for Greenwood 79'): NA: Energetic. Reuters
  • Odion Ighalo (On for Martial 79') NA: Graft. PA
    Odion Ighalo (On for Martial 79') NA: Graft. PA