Amid rumors that he will sign for Barcelona this summer or in an upcoming transfer window (remember, the transfer window in Spain is open for a few more weeks), Manchester United star Paul Pogba has given a cryptic response regarding his relationship with manager Jose Mourinho.
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Pogba scored and dominated as United’s captain in their 2-1 home win against Leicester City to kick off their season. The World Cup winner was sublime but with Mourinho openly criticizing him in the past and now exactly praising him for helping France to World Cup glory this summer, Pogba doesn’t seem that happy at Old Trafford.
Speaking to journalists after his Man of the Match display on Friday, Pogba said the following when asked about captaining United and being committed to the cause.
“Of course it makes me proud, it makes me happy to wear this (armband) at a big club like Manchester United,” Pogba said. “Like I always say, I always give my best for the fans, for my team-mates, for the people that trust me.”
He also sent out the Tweet below after his virtuoso display.
I’ll always give my best to the fans and my teammates no matter what’s going on. #pogfeelings pic.twitter.com/naT9hLHomG
— Paul Pogba (@paulpogba) August 10, 2018
Hmmm.
It certainly seems like Pogba is making a point by mentioning the fans and teammates but not Mourinho, as the fire is fuelled further about a potential exit.
United would be absolutely mad to let Pogba leave now that the transfer window in the Premier League has closed and they cannot replace him until January.
But if Barca offer them the chance to make a profit on the player they signed for a then world-record fee of $115 million two summers ago, and someone who has never really hit top form consistently, should United snap their hands off?
It’s a tough call but it seems like Pogba will remain for now, even if his relationship with Mourinho is strained. As long as he keeps making his point by scoring goals and putting in all-action displays, Mourinho won’t care at all.
But there is something brewing behind the scenes and there has been for some time after Mourinho left Pogba out of the team on multiple occasions last season and publicly criticized him.
Grab your popcorn for Mourinho’s next press conference...