Paul Pogba has revealed that he wanted to leave Manchester United as early as 2019, shedding light on a turbulent period during his second stint at Old Trafford. In a candid interview with Daily Mail, the French midfielder admitted that despite his efforts, things were not going as planned, prompting him to seek a move away from the club.
Pogba, who was 27 at the time, explained his growing dissatisfaction: “It didn’t work out the way I wanted. I gave my best but I didn’t see the club going upwards.” Reflecting on Manchester United’s struggles during that time, Pogba acknowledged the dominance of their rivals. “Manchester City and Liverpool were better than us, and they were improving,” he said, highlighting the competitive gap that had developed between United and their Premier League counterparts.
Ole Solskjær Supported His Decision
Pogba disclosed that his desire to leave was known to then-manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær, who reportedly supported his decision. According to Pogba, Solskjær agreed to discuss the matter with United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward. “Ole said yes to me leaving and that he would talk to Ed,” Pogba explained. However, despite his manager’s understanding, the situation became complicated as Pogba’s request to move was ultimately blocked.
After returning for pre-season training, Pogba attempted to maintain a professional attitude, despite his mind being set on leaving the club. “My head was already that I wanted to go, but I came back for pre-season because I wanted to be professional,” Pogba said. However, when he approached Woodward in hopes of finalizing his departure, his efforts were thwarted. “I spoke to Ed to try to make a move, but he blocked it. I didn’t want to play for United anymore, but I had to be professional,” he added.
Mental Struggles and Injuries
Pogba’s mental state began to deteriorate during this period, as his desire to move away clashed with the reality of having to stay at the club. “Mentally, I wasn’t there,” he admitted, reflecting on the challenges he faced while continuing to play for United. This difficult period was further compounded by injuries that sidelined him for significant portions of the 2019-20 season.
The revelation adds context to Pogba’s inconsistent performances and injury-plagued time at Manchester United during those years. His frustrations behind the scenes seem to have mirrored the club’s struggles on the pitch, where United was unable to mount a serious challenge for major honors while City and Liverpool surged ahead.
A Tumultuous United Tenure
Pogba’s second stint at Manchester United was marked by both flashes of brilliance and long stretches of disappointment. Having rejoined the club in 2016 for a then-world-record fee of £89 million, much was expected of the French star. However, despite winning the Europa League and EFL Cup in his first season back, Pogba struggled to lead the team to sustained success. His frustrations, now publicly acknowledged, may explain the disjointed relationship he had with the club in the years that followed.
Pogba eventually left United in 2022, returning to Juventus on a free transfer, bringing an end to his second spell at the club. His revelations about wanting to leave in 2019 cast a new light on what was, for many fans, a confusing and disappointing chapter in his career.
With this newfound insight, it is clearer than ever that Pogba’s frustrations went beyond performances on the pitch. His desire to leave earlier may have been a contributing factor to the strained atmosphere surrounding his time at United. While Pogba’s career has since moved on, these admissions provide a deeper understanding of the behind-the-scenes struggles that marked his time at Old Trafford.
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