I don’t regret leaving Juve, insists Pogba

PAUL POGBA could be forgiven for returning to Turin with more than a few regrets as he faces his old club Juventus in the Champions League tonight.

In the two years and three months since the Frenchman left Italy to rejoin Manchester United in a then world record £89million deal, Juve have added another two Serie A titles and continued to be a major power on the European stage. United, on the other hand, have been mediocre at best. Pogba, 25, is already casting his gaze towards the possibility of a new challenge in Spain and his relationship with manager Jose Mourinho has come under particular scrutiny. Publicly at least, Pogba was at pains last night to insist that he has no regrets over his decision. He is so happy at United that he used the word no fewer than eight times on his return to the Allianz Stadium, and even claimed that he wasn’t hurt by Mourinho stripping him of the vice-captaincy in September.

‘It didn’t affect me,’ said Pogba who until now claimed that he has been gagged from talking to the media.

‘I’m still playing and I’m really happy to play. The manager is the one who chooses who is captain. I was the second one after Antonio Valencia. Then if he takes the armband it doesn’t change anything for me.

‘I just want to play and perform. It didn’t really touch me. Nothing changed really. I’m just a player. I do what he tells me to do. He’s the boss, he’s the manager. I listen and I do it with happiness.’

Juventus have won the last seven Italian league titles, including four while Pogba was making his name here, and are unbeaten at the top of Serie A again.

They have yet to concede a goal in the Champions League this season and a draw tonight will be enough for them to qualify from Group H after outclassing United at Old Trafford a fortnight ago.

No wonder Mourinho suggested that United’s remaining games against Valencia and Young Boys will be more significant in the race for second place.

Still, Pogba insisted there had been no second thoughts over his move despite admitting that United’s form earlier this season was ‘really bad’.

‘Choosing to come back to Man United was my choice,’ he said. ‘Juventus were playing Champions League and Manchester were playing Europa League. I knew first of all I wouldn’t play Champions League and I was very happy. I made my choice and don’t regret it at all. Do I look sad? I’m happy. I’m really happy to come back to Man United wearing this shirt, playing for this team, this big club.

‘We have a lot of goals so, for me, no it’s not strange.’

Asked last night about his relationship with Pogba, Mourinho was also keen to present a united front.

‘We have a typical coach and player relationship,’ said the United boss. ‘I think we have a good relationship.’

Mourinho was less keen to be drawn on the Financial Fair Play allegations surrounding Manchester City as he prepares to take his team to the Etihad Stadium on Sunday for another difficult away fixture.

‘I have thoughts from a few years ago but I keep the thoughts to myself,’ he said.

Meanwhile, Manchesterborn referee Anthony Taylor has been chosen to officiate Sunday’s derby.