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Lingard: Solskjaer gives Pogba 'freedom to make things happen'

Tom Purslow / Manchester United / Getty

With a new year comes a new Paul Pogba.

Manchester United's star Frenchman saw his role diminish under former boss Jose Mourinho, with the Portuguese manager frequently leaving the 25-year-old on the bench in favor of others in the starting XI. But since Mourinho was shown the door by United's brass on Dec. 18, Pogba has been front and center in United's three consecutive and convincing victories, as he has scored four goals and contributed three assists.

An important factor in Pogba's resurgence has been caretaker manager and club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who has supposedly changed the World Cup winner by allowing him to roam unrestricted with the Red Devils, according to teammate Jesse Lingard.

"Paul's enjoying his football," Lingard told The Guardian's Louise Taylor. "He's playing in the role he likes to play in just inside, off the left. He has the freedom to make things happen.

"He has always got forward in that position and scored goals ... Ole has helped him 100 percent. He has given him the confidence and license to be free, to play his game, and do what we know he can."

Prior to Mourinho's dismissal, Pogba potted just three goals in 14 league appearances and didn't feature at all in the gaffer's final two matches against Fulham and Liverpool. It was a stark contrast to his performances with France over the summer in which he helped guide Les Bleus to their second World Cup trophy.

He hasn't reversed just his own fortune, either, as Pogba's play under Solskjaer has brought positive early returns for Manchester United in the standings. While the club languished as low as eighth following a 2-2 draw against Arsenal earlier this month, the Red Devils are now just three points off the Gunners for fifth and eight points adrift of Chelsea for the Premier League's final Champions League spot.

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