Paul Pogba has extensively reflected on his turbulent time at Manchester United. The French midfielder made a remarkable comparison when asked about his relationship with José Mourinho. Pogba admitted that he saw similarities with a romantic relationship.
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Recently, it was revealed that Paul Pogba's doping suspension has been shortened, with the French midfielder now eligible to return to football in March 2025.
This reduction in his ban offers a glimmer of hope for the embattled Juventus player, who has been enduring a challenging period in his career. Having faced a long suspension for testing positive for a banned substance, Pogba has kept a low profile. However, in his first substantial media appearance since the suspension was announced, he gave insights not only into his current contract situation with Juventus but also took the opportunity to reflect on his turbulent time at Manchester United.
One of the focal points of the conversation was Pogba’s complex relationship with former Manchester United manager José Mourinho. Pogba, who rejoined Manchester United in 2016 for a then-world record fee of £89 million, opened up about the highs and lows of his time under Mourinho’s leadership at Old Trafford. In his interview with The Daily Mail, Pogba humorously likened his relationship with the Portuguese coach to that of a tumultuous romantic relationship: "Our relationship was a bit like we were dating. We kept breaking up and then making up again."
At first, everything seemed promising between the two. Pogba revealed that Mourinho played a pivotal role in bringing him back to Manchester United after his successful stint at Juventus. "It started out great; he was one of the reasons I returned to Manchester," Pogba explained. "I had spoken with him, and he convinced me to come back. I don’t know why, but it eventually became a nightmare."
The Frenchman’s return to Manchester United in 2016 was a highly anticipated move. Pogba had left the club in 2012 as a young prospect and developed into one of the best midfielders in Europe during his time at Juventus. His return was seen as a statement of intent by United, who were eager to restore their former dominance after a period of post-Alex Ferguson instability. With Mourinho at the helm, the club was aiming to rebuild and Pogba was a key part of that plan.
Initially, things seemed to go well. Pogba played an influential role in United’s 2016-17 campaign, helping the club win the Europa League and the EFL Cup. His performances in these competitions were crucial, and he even scored in the Europa League final against Ajax, helping secure United’s return to the Champions League. Pogba’s on-field chemistry with Mourinho seemed strong, and the manager frequently praised his star player’s abilities.
However, behind the scenes, tensions began to rise. Pogba alluded to these issues, saying that while the relationship started well, it soon began to unravel. "We were constantly arguing," he admitted, though he also made it clear that he was not the instigator of the conflicts. "I wasn’t the one starting it," Pogba claimed, without going into specifics about what exactly triggered the repeated disputes.
By 2017, cracks in the Pogba-Mourinho relationship were becoming more visible. Pogba’s performances were inconsistent, and rumors of disagreements over tactics and Pogba’s role in the team began to emerge. Mourinho, known for his demanding style and tactical rigidity, reportedly clashed with Pogba, who preferred more freedom to express himself on the pitch. The public got wind of the growing rift when Pogba was substituted early in several key matches during the 2017-18 season, leading to questions about his future at the club.
Mourinho, known for his hardline approach, stripped Pogba of the vice-captaincy in September 2018, citing concerns over his attitude. This decision, which followed a string of poor performances and media speculation, seemed to confirm that the relationship had hit a breaking point. Pogba, in turn, made cryptic comments to the press, often alluding to his dissatisfaction without directly confronting the issue. This passive-aggressive exchange between player and manager played out in the media, with Mourinho at one point reportedly calling Pogba “a virus” during a dressing room confrontation.
The friction between the two was widely covered in the press, with multiple stories surfacing about training ground bust-ups and tense exchanges during team meetings. Pogba’s demeanor during this period drew criticism from pundits and fans alike, many of whom questioned his commitment to the club. The public narrative painted Pogba as the villain in the saga, with Mourinho’s reputation as a “tough but fair” manager leading some to believe that Pogba was failing to meet the high standards expected of him.
Despite the friction, Pogba’s recent comments reveal a more nuanced picture of their relationship. "We disagreed," Pogba said, acknowledging that differences of opinion are not uncommon in football, particularly between managers and players. "That happens sometimes between managers and players." However, Pogba also expressed his respect for Mourinho, adding that there were no lingering hard feelings. "I have a lot of respect for him," Pogba continued. "If I saw him tomorrow, I would give him a big hug."
This final sentiment marks a departure from the animosity that characterized their time together at United. Pogba hinted at a desire to reconcile with Mourinho, suggesting that they need to have a proper conversation about what went wrong. "We actually need to sit down and talk about it properly," he said, leaving the door open for a potential reunion, at least on personal terms.
Pogba’s reflections offer a rare glimpse into the human side of football’s high-pressure environment. While the media often focuses on the sensational aspects of conflicts between managers and players, Pogba’s comments underscore the complex and sometimes contradictory emotions that can arise in such relationships. For now, Pogba is focusing on his return to football, with March 2025 marking the end of his suspension. It remains to be seen what the future holds for the French midfielder, but his recent remarks suggest that he is keen to move forward, both personally and professionally.
As for Mourinho, the Portuguese coach has moved on to other challenges, currently managing AS Roma in Italy. Whether the two will cross paths again on or off the pitch remains uncertain, but Pogba’s words hint at the possibility of closure between the two high-profile figures who, for better or worse, left a lasting mark on each other’s careers.
