Paul Pogba went a long way to silencing his critics during France's victorious World Cup campaign.

The 25-year-old was deployed in a more reserved central midfield role by boss Didier Deschamps, and it was one he excelled in throughout.

Les Bleus won every game bar their final group game against Denmark, which was effectively a dead rubber, scoring 11 goals in their four knockout matches.

Pogba was on the scoresheet in their 4-2 win over Croatia in the final three days ago, curling in a fine effort from the edge of the box.

That all but secured the victory, though Hugo Lloris did his best to let their opponents back into it with one of the most calamitous mistakes in World Cup history.

Manchester United fans will have been scratching their heads throughout the tournament, wondering why Pogba hasn't been able to be so disciplined during his two years at Old Trafford.

He has proved a frustrating figure since his £89m return from Juventus, often struggling to perform to the level we all know he can.

Pogba is likely to miss the start of the Premier League season as he takes a well-deserved break, but the preparations are well underway for his club.

United are in Los Angeles for their pre-season tour, and that gave Mourinho the chance to discuss his record purchase's displays.

And he seemed to raise a pretty valid point about Pogba during a press conference.

The Portuguese suggested that he hopes the midfielder realises how his discipline managed to make him stand out.

"For Paul to go to the World Cup and to be world champion can only be fantastic," Mourinho said, as reported by MEN.

"It is a young team. The future for him amongst that fantastic group of players can only be brilliant and I hope he understands why he was very good.

"That's the point about his performance level and contribution to a winning team, is to understand why he was so good - especially in the second part of the competition, where he was absolutely brilliant."

Mourinho dropped Pogba last season after a string of below-par performances, but if he takes his advice on board there's no way he can be left out again.

If the former Juventus man continues in that vein of form, United fans might start to feel like the then world-record fee they paid for him was entirely worthwhile.