Manchester United hero Patrice Evra has jumped to the defence of Paul Pogba.

Evra has called on France fans to lay off the midfielder.

"I ask people to stop hating my PauI," Evra, who was released by West Ham, said on ITV.

"I know he is doing his hair but let's talk about football.

"I would like to know if Messi or Ronaldo or Neymar scored the goal would they take it away from them? That is just my point of view.

"The problem with Paul is his image is getting bigger than his football. Even before the game people are already angry or talking it is talk about his hair or his fashion but we never about his football.

"The expectation with Paul is too high but the statistics for United is actually better than when he played at Juventus.

"Because they bought him for £100m (£89m) people expect him to score three every game but he is not at that level. Give him time he is young... But when things go wrong he is always the one criticised. It's not fair."