Manchester United star Paul Pogba has defended veteran French defender Patrice Evra after he was sacked by Marseille.

The 36-year–old Evra saw his contract terminated by Marseille in early November for kicking a fan prior to a Europa League encounter against VitoriaGuimaraes.

Evra faced scathing criticism following the incident and has yet to find himself a new club.

"The image he had before the problems was not good, but he's really a golden guy,"Pogba told SFR Sport.

"He really helps the team and the staff, he is behind us. Even on the bench, this is a person who will encourage everyone, a person who will be in the dugout and who will come into the locker room to talk to the team, to encourage them.

"This is one of the few players who pushes players by saying: 'Do better than me. I don't want to be selected, let the young play to progress'.

"He's a real leader, a big brother for everyone. Uncle Pat, as I call him. He's an uncle for everyone."