Paul Pogba has hit out at Manchester United ’s revolving managerial merry-go-round as one of three reasons as to why his return to Old Trafford did not quite go as planned.
The Frenchman became the Red Devils’ record signing and the all-time most expensive player in the history of English football in 2016 as the club paid £89m to re-sign him from Juventus. Pogba ended up staying at Old Trafford for six years and despite a promising debut campaign in which he ended up winning the Europa League and League Cup, was never quite able to hit the heights expected of him at the club.
An infamous falling-out with Jose Mourinho was the beginning of the end of Pogba’s spell at the club, with persistent injury issues limiting his contributions.
Having left for Juventus on a free transfer for the second time, the 29-year-old has suggested that the Red Devils’ ruthless approach to managers, differing tactical ideas, as well as his own injury issues are to blame for his underwhelming spell.
Speaking at his Juventus presentation, he said: “Well you know, when you play in a team and the coach changes every year it is quite difficult to adapt.
“It’s difficult to cope with that and I had some injuries, these probably influenced my mentality and the fact I couldn't play and have the same rhythm as before when I played 90 minutes every game.
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“There were different factors; coach, teams, the position on the pitch, all these contributed to block me a little bit in my performance. But now I've left it's another Paul, another Pogba. I truly hope I won't get injured again, I feel good, I'll play in my position and hopefully do better than in the last few years.”
Despite Pogba’s indifferent period with the Red Devils, he has claimed that he does not harbour any regrets over his decision to go back to Man Utd.
He added: “I'm very happy with the years I spent in Manchester. I grew a lot, I became a man there, I learned a lot. It was not a mistake, I was very happy there.”
In the end, Pogba ended up making 225 appearances during his second spell as a Red Devil having played for the club under the likes of Mourinho, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
He scored on 39 occasions for the club, whilst producing 51 assists. The midfielder enjoyed an electric start to last season with his form leading to suggestions of a new contract but in the end he could only make 20 Premier League appearances with his familiar injury issues again keeping him on the sidelines.
Pogba has now penned a four-year deal to return to Juventus and has been handed back the number ten shirt having previously been the occupant of the number in Turin.
