French midfielder Pogba became the most expensive player in world football when he completed an £89 million move to Old Trafford in 2016. It was Mourinho, fresh off the helm of the Red Devils, who completed this agreement.
Pogba, who left United on a free in 2012 to join Juventus, enjoyed a productive first campaign on his return to England, where the Community Shield, League Cup and Europa League trophies were lifted. However, he had to come up against the fiery Portuguese coach.
Mourinho was sacked in December 2018, with Pogba explaining to the Daily Mail why his relationship with the demanding tactician was not always easy: “Our relationship was like boyfriend and girlfriend, we were breaking up and making up all the time. It started off well, he was one of the reasons I moved back to Manchester because I spoke to him and he convinced me to come back. »
A toxic relationship
“I don’t know why this turned into a nightmare and a fight. Because I wasn’t fighting. I didn’t start the fight. We didn’t disagree like managers and players sometimes do. But I respect him a lot. If I see him tomorrow, it will be a big hug! But one day we will have to sit down together and talk about it. »
Pogba criticized Mourinho’s allegedly conservative tactics, suggesting in 2021 that the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss treated players as if they ” did not exist ».
