Deschamps defends Pogba after jeers from France fans

It was a night to forget for Paul Pogba.

The Manchester United midfielder got an earful from France supporters who were apparently unhappy with his performance during the country's 3-1 victory over Italy in a friendly on Friday in preparation for the World Cup in Russia later this month.

Following the match, manager Didier Deschamps said French followers were being overly demanding and suggested they lower their overall expectations for the team despite its plethora of stars.

"The whistles for Paul Pogba? It's not just for him, at one point we kept the ball and they whistled too," Deschamps told TF1, as translated by beIN Sport. "It had already happened.

"The public also prefers to score five, six goals, but it's high level, there is a team in front of us. The players do the right thing."

"We must keep what this group has in terms of ambition and enthusiasm," he added. "We do not do everything perfectly, but the intentions are there."

Florian Thauvin also attracted criticism during a match that saw Samuel Umtiti, Antoine Griezmann, and Ousmane Dembele score for a France side that will enter the World Cup as a favourite to lift the game's most coveted prize.