PAUL POGBA HAS added fuel to rumours of his deteriorating relationship with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, saying he could not express himself for fear of being fined.
The 25-year-old — who scored a superb goal in France’s 4-2 victory over Croatia in the World Cup final — was credited with a ‘monster performance’ by Mourinho in United’s opening 2-1 Premier League win over Leicester City on Friday.
However, Pogba — who cost United a then-world record €105 million in 2016 to prise him away from Juventus — is known to be upset by Mourinho’s remarks about his performances at the World Cup compared to those for his club last season.
Mourinho implied that Pogba — whose agent Mini Raiola has reportedly been talking with Barcelona — had flourished under Didier Deschamps at the World Cup because he could not be distracted by his entourage or by his commercial obligations.
“There are things and there are things that I cannot say, otherwise I will get fined,” Pogba told the British press after the Leicester match in a rare occasion he has stopped to speak with them.
It was a striking comment from the midfielder in what has been one of few occasions that he has stopped to speak to the written media after a United match.
Maybe Pogba was keen to get something off his chest on Friday, or perhaps this is part of how he fulfils the role of captain.
"It's not having just the armband," Pogba said of his view on leadership. "I have always been talking to the team-mates. I am someone who is not (in) a role that I give to myself. Just try to help the team as much as possible, like they helped me too.
Former captain Michael Carrick and fellow coach Kieran McKenna informed Pogba that he would skipper United in his first match since winning the World Cup.
"I am the same, it's the same Paul Pogba, the France midfielder said, reflecting on his summer. "It's a different team, obviously. I still enjoying playing football, I still love football and I still give my best with the team, for the team.
"Like I said, when you are comfortable, when people trust with everyone or confident, are good in the head, it's going to be easier."
Pogba said "everybody was on the same page" in the France dressing room, from manager Didier Deschamps to the kitman, physio and players.
"When we have everybody with you, everybody next to you know they want to fight for you, obviously it's going to be easier, you know?" he said. "It's going to be easier and it makes the team go higher."
Coy on what United could achieve this season, Pogba knows the importance of aiming for success with the club and the responsibility that came with wearing the armband.
"I always love the club," he said. "I love the club. I came in the academy, I grew up. I came from the academy, I played for the first team. For me, it was a dream come true.
"And wearing this, it's even more because of the past, because of the players that played here, the people that have been wearing this."