Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has described his relationship with Jose Mourinho during their time at the club as that of “a boyfriend and girlfriend” though he admits he still holds a great deal of respect for the “Special One”.
Pogba, 31, who recently saw his four-year ban from football, for alleged doping, shortened to 18 months, enjoyed a difficult relationship with Mourinho who brought the Frenchman back to the club from Juventus for £89million in the summer of 2016.
According to the Mirror, Pogba was caught in awe as to why his relationship with Mourinho turned sour.
“Our relationship was like boyfriend and girlfriend, we were breaking up and making up all the time,” he said.
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“It started great, he was one of the reasons I went back to Manchester because I spoke to him and he convinced me to come back.
“I don’t know why it turned into a nightmare and us fighting. Because I wasn’t fighting. I didn’t start the fight. We disagreed like managers and players do sometimes. But there’s a lot of respect from me to him. If I see him tomorrow it’s a big hug! But one day we will have to sit down together and discuss it.”
Pogba is still contracted to Juventus though both parties are seeking an alternative to either continue their relationship or part ways going forward, and the former United man has in the past also openly criticized Mourinho, comparing him to his predecessor Ole Gunnar Solksjaer.
“What I have now with Ole is different because he wouldn’t go against the players,” Pogba said in a Sky Sports interview at the time.
“It’s not like you put them on the side and they don’t exist any more. I think that’s the difference between Mourinho and Ole.”
Pogba featured 108 times under the two-times Champions League winner at Old Trafford, clinching the Europa League, Carabao Cup and Community Shield.
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