Pogba Opens Up on Mourinho Fallout at Man United

Paul Pogba has shed light on the deterioration of his relationship with Jose Mourinho during his second spell at Manchester United, revealing that constant media inquiries about his injuries and future likely contributed to their fallout. The French midfielder, who rejoined United in a then world-record transfer of £89 million in 2016, experienced several public disputes with Mourinho before the Portuguese manager was dismissed in December 2018.

In a recent episode of the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Pogba explained that their initial rapport was positive, characterized by friendly exchanges and mutual respect. However, he noted that the situation changed as his injury issues became a focal point for the media. "You don't want to be mean; I don't have any problem with any coaches. I always respect them. They tell me what to do. They are the boss. That's the truth," Pogba stated.

He elaborated that the constant media attention surrounding his fitness and performance may have frustrated Mourinho. "When always the media ask him questions about me, maybe makes him a bit like, 'OK is he done?' And this is the problem also with me, like a lot of people they love to ask about me. Always Paul, Paul, Paul, and that probably p****d him off," Pogba said.

The midfielder recalled a particularly tense moment when Mourinho sent a picture of him to his agent, Mino Raiola, while Pogba was recovering from an injury. This incident left Pogba feeling disrespected, especially when Mourinho questioned his decision to take a rehabilitation break in the United States. The manager's decision to strip Pogba of the vice-captaincy and his derogatory comments about Pogba's performances for France further strained their relationship.

Pogba also reflected on the differences he noticed between his first and second stints at Manchester United. He confided in his friend Patrice Evra that he was uncertain about completing his contract due to the changed atmosphere at the club. "I talked to Pat and said everything is different. The energy is different. I said when I left, it wasn't like that. You came to Manchester United with a clear idea of the culture of Manchester United. And it was a bit... it was different," he explained.

Despite the challenges, Pogba fulfilled his contract at United before leaving on a free transfer to Juventus in the summer of 2022. His time in Italy was marred by injuries and a doping ban, which was initially set for four years but later reduced to 18 months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport. After leaving Juventus in November 2024, Pogba spent seven months without a club before signing a two-year deal with Monaco.

As Pogba continues his career, he remains a significant figure in football, with his experiences at Manchester United serving as a reminder of the complexities of player-manager relationships in the sport.