Juan Mata has defended Manchester United team-mate Paul Pogba and says he cannot be expected to match the achievements of fellow superstars Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Pogba returned to Old Trafford for a world-record transfer fee of €105 million after four seasons at Juventus, and has sometimes struggled to live up to the high expectations at United.

Mata feels the criticism is not a result of Pogba underperforming, but a consequence of unrealistic demands.

"I imagine it is not easy," Mata told the BBC. 

"When the big transfer comes and the expectations are high, sometimes people lose perception of reality. 

"We are not machines. Messi and Ronaldo are the only two [that can score every game]. There is no more."

Pogba will be looking to lift his first major trophy with United when they take on Southampton in the EFL Cup final on Sunday.