Pogba admits to keeping quiet for fear of fine at Man United
ALL IS NOT WELL French star is reportedly upset by Mourinho’s remarks about his performances at FIFA World Cup MANCHESTER:
Paul Pogba added fuel to rumours of his deteriorating relationship with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, saying he could not express himself for fear of being fined.
The 25-year-old -- who scored a superb goal in France’s 4-2 victory over Croatia in the World Cup final -- was credited with a ‘monster performance’ by Mourinho in United’s opening 2-1 Premier League win over Leicester City on Friday.
However, Pogba -- who cost United a then-world record £89 million (105 million euros, $116 million) in 2016 to prise him away from Juventus -- is known to be upset by Mourinho’s remarks about his performances at the World Cup compared to those for his club last season.
TENSION BOILING Mourinho had implied Pogba -whose agent Mini Raiola has reportedly been talking with Barcelona -- had flourished under Didier Deschamps at the World Cup because he could not be distracted by his entourage or by his commercial obligations.
“There are things and there are things that I cannot say otherwise I will get fined,” Pogba told the British press after the Leicester match in a rare occasion he has stopped to speak with them. Pogba, who was given the captaincy by Mourinho on Friday, summed up what it meant for him to be happy and comfortable.
“If you’re not happy, you cannot give your best,” said Pogba.
“You have to know one thing: a player that gets chosen and is happy, you always feel more comfortable than when he’s not happy. That’s all I say.”
DIFFERENCE IN TEAMS
Pogba, who was dropped by Mourinho for both legs of the Champions League last-16 loss to Sevilla last term, said there were differences between playing for France and United.
“I am the same, but it’s a different team, obviously,” said Pogba. “I still enjoying playing football but like I said, when you are comfortable or confident and are good in the head, it’s going to be easier.”
Pogba said “everybody was on the same page” in the France dressing room, from Deschamps to the staff and players -- that has not necessarily been the case at United with several players at different times singled out for public criticism by Mourinho.
“When you have everybody with you, everybody next to you, you know they want to fight for you, obviously it’s going to be easier,” he said.
However, Pogba -- who could still leave despite last Thursday’s English transfer deadline day as most European leagues keep their transfer windows open until the end of August -professed his deep love for the club.
“I always love the club (United). I came from the academy, I played for the first team. For me, it was a dream come true.”
WENGER WAS SACKED?
Arsene Wenger was sacked by Arsenal last season and none of the players saw it coming, according to ex- Gunners midfielder Jack Wilshere.
It was announced on April 20 that Wenger would be leaving the club after 20 years as manager, with the 68-year-old stating he felt the time was right to step down. Wilshere’s own future was the subject of much speculation last season before he decided to sign for West Ham on a free transfer last month.
But the England international has suggested he could have stayed at Arsenal had Wenger not departed, which he claims was not his old manager’s own decision.
“I was in the last year of my contract, and I spoke with the manager at the time, Arsene Wenger, and he said that they won’t be offering me a new deal and that I could leave,” Wilshere told BBC Sport.
“But at the time I was injured, and it was difficult, because I wasn’t fit and I wasn’t playing, and not many teams wanted me injured.
“So, I decided to stay and I got back into the team and they finally offered me a deal in January which was ready to sign, and then Arsene got sacked.
“It was strange, everyone was just shocked and Per Mertesacker, the captain, said a few words, and I think everyone was just in shock. It was strange. No-one really saw it coming, but it changed everything.”
Wilshere praised Wenger’s successor Unai Emery for his honesty about his chances of first-team football at the club.
“I wanted to wait to speak to the new manager. And I did, and he was brilliant, he was honest with me.He said ‘you can stay, but you won’t be in my starting XI’, so I thought it was the right time to finally leave,” he said.
LONDON:He’s LONDON: