Paul Pogba unsettled at Manchester United due to Mourinho’s criticism
It’s an endless saga, but it’s taken yet another twist.
The Manchester United midfielder was in fine form for the Les Bleus in Russia, as he led his country to their second World Cup title.
Forming a midfield trio with N’golo Kante and Blaise Matuidi throughout most of the tournament, Pogba showed the world why United had splashed out a humongous £90 million to sign him from Juventus in 2016.
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In spite of several fans and pundits believing that Pogba would perform best if given freedom in midfield, he excelled under Didier Deschamps in a more repressed role for France.
This led Jose Mourinho to suggest that Pogba enjoyed playing for France more than he did for Manchester United, in an interview with ESPN back in July.
"“I don’t think it’s about us getting the best out of him, it’s about him giving the best he has to give,” the United boss said."
He also said that it was easier to lose focus during a domestic season where the stakes weren’t as high as in a World Cup.
And now, his comments might have jeopardized the Frenchman’s future at Old Trafford.
Pogba was recently the subject of an enormous bid by Barcelona. The Catalan club offered £45 million plus Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes in a huge player-plus-cash deal.
Although United were interested in Yerry Mina earlier, they promptly rejected the proposal.
But according to ESPN, they might not have much say in the matter if Pogba himself decides to leave.
He is reportedly open to a move to Barcelona, or a return to Juventus, where he won four successive Scudettos.
It is to be noted that although the Premier League transfer deadline has been moved up to the 9th of August this season, English clubs will still be allowed to sell their players till the 31st.
This makes for grim reading for Manchester United fans, should Pogba decide he has had enough. It also means that Mourinho will have barely any time to bring in a suitable replacement.
Next. Is this how Man City will line up against Arsenal?. dark
United could be facing Leicester City on the opening day of the new Premier League season without some of their World Cup stars, including Pogba.