MONEY’S OFF POG’S MIND AS HE INSISTS HAPPINESS IS THE KEY
Guardiola backing his memory bankers
PAUL POGBA has started the season with a simple message for Jose Mourinho – stop attacking me and I’ll be free to deliver everything for Manchester United.
The French World Cup winner’s uneasy relationship with Old Trafford boss Mourinho triggered talks of a summer exit, with Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola desperate to move him to Barcelona.
But senior club figures see him as the essential stellar star to lead United’s quest to be champions again after a five year wait for the league title.
Mourinho clashed with Pogba (right) several times last season and the £89million midfield powerhouse clearly wants an end to the sniping and reckons more love and a less destructive narrative from Mourinho will benefit everyone.
“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,” he said.
“After the World Cup I am the same. I am the same. It’s the same Paul Pogba.
“I still enjoy playing football, I still love football and I still give my best with the team, for the team.
“When people trust you and have confidence then you are good in your own head and it’s going to be easier.” BACK TO THE FUTURE: Pep Guardiola is looking to build on last season’s heroics Despite talk of wanting a new £350,000 deal to have parity with Alexis Sanchez, Pogba – on around £200,000 a week – insists his life is about happiness not money. He added: “If you’re not happy in doing what you’re doing right now, there’s no point doing it. “There’s a point about doing things for money, but there’s a point about doing things because you love it. “If you’re not happy, you cannot give your best.” That’s a clear indication his relationship with Mourinho has affected his happiness at the club and his ability to produce the kind of dominant display he gave against Leicester, which came after just four days training following his summer break.
“It’s three points, it’s what we wanted so I’m very happy,” said Pogba, 25. “Some of us, me included, didn’t have a lot of training and we played a game.
“We knew we were not going to be fit, 100 per cent, but the aim and most important thing was to start well in the Premier League and we did that.” uneasy alliance with Mourinho in public he’d be hammered with a club fine.
The French World Cup winner was given the captain’s armband with designated skipper Antonio Valencia out injured.
Just four days after returning to training Pogba scored from the penalty spot to help set up victory.
But he hinted he is been unhappy with Mourinho frequently sniping at him.
Pogba added: “When people trust you and have confidence then you are good in your own head and it’s going to be easier.”