Paul Pogba insists he is happy at Manchester United and happy to listen to Manager José Mourinho as both defend what they say is a “typical” player-manager relationship.
Just over a month on from their ‘frosty exchange’ on the United training ground, the duo were seen shaking hands at Carrington on Tuesday ahead of flying out to play Pogba’s former club Juventus in the Champions League.
The pair then gave a united front in back-to-back press conferences, where they were both questioned over their relationship.
“I would classify it as a good relationship between the coach and the player,” Mourinho said, while Pogba quickly reiterated it is “the same way as everybody”.
Earlier this season, Pogba said he was told he was “not allowed to speak” after criticising Mourinho’s tactics.
Speaking on Tuesday, he said: “I’m just the player, I do what he tells me to do because he’s the boss, he’s the manager. I listen and that’s it. I enjoy it. I listen and do it with happiness.”
Pogba insists Mourinho’s decision to strip him of the vice-captaincy at Manchester United “did not affect” him.
“I’m still playing and I’m happy to play,” he said. “The manager is the one who chooses who will be captain.
“If he takes the armband it doesn’t change anything for me – I just want to play, perform, that’s my job and give my best for everybody, for the fans the club, that’s it.
“It didn’t affect me. Nothing changed really.”
Pogba, while also speaking from the Juventus Stadium in Turin, where he won four Serie A titles before moving back to Manchester United, insisted he remains happy with the decision to return to Old Trafford.
“Choosing to come back to Manchester United was my choice,” he added. “Juventus were playing Champions League and Manchester were playing Europa League. I knew, first of all, I wouldn’t play Champions League and I was very happy.
“I made my choice and don’t regret it at all. I know Manchester the last few years are not being at the top but I came back just to help the team and try to come back at the top so we are on the way.
“We have a lot of goals so, for me, no it’s not strange. It’s a choice and I don’t regret it all. I’m very happy to come back to Manchester United and wear the shirt and everything. I’m sure we will come back to our best.
“Do I look sad? I’m happy. Like I said again, I’m happy to wear the shirt, I’m really happy to come back to Manchester United wearing this shirt playing for this team, this big club.
“Obviously when you play in a big club like that there is always talk about this club. We know anything can go on but on the pitch always happy, always with a smile, fighting for my teammates, club and fans. That’s what I do and I’m really happy to do that.”
