The Portuguese coach says Pogba was not solely responsible for his exit (Picture: Getty)
Axed Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho believes his complaints about the club have been vindicated and suggests the problems he highlighted still exist under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Portuguese coach was axed in December and, after an initial surge in form and performances under Solskjaer, the side limped over the finishing line at the end of the season, losing eight of their final 12 matches in all competitions.
Mourinho has previously been wary of speaking about the difficulties he experienced in his third season at Old Trafford, having fallen out with a number of players.
United collapsed at the end of the season, finishing in sixth place (Picture: Getty)
But he has given his most explicit interview yet with French newspaper L’Equipe and says United are in the same position as when he left, with the issues not just limited to the playing staff.
‘I said nine or 10 months ago that after winning eight Championships, finishing second with United may have been my greatest achievement,’ he told L’Equipe. ‘Now people understand.’
‘I do not always do my analysis publicly on Manchester United. I do not want to talk about it and I have the feeling that I do not need to speak, that time gives explanations.
‘About United I want to say only two things: One is that time has spoken. Two is that the problems are still there.’
Mourinho says Pogba was far from the only person responsible for his sacking (Picture: Getty)
Asked if he was a victim of his falling out with Paul Pogba, Mourinho added: ‘No. The problems are there. You can imagine that the problems are the players, the organisation, the ambition.
‘I only say that I cannot say yes when you ask if Paul was the only one responsible.’
Pogba was abused by a small section of United fans at the end of the side’s defeat to Cardiff City at Old Trafford on the final day of the season and has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid in the summer.
amamboro on May 15th, 2019 at 14:55 UTC »
Full quote:
'I do not always do my analysis publicly on Manchester United. I do not want to talk about it and I have the feeling that I do not need to speak, that time gives explanations. '
‘About United I want to say only two things: One is that time has spoken. Two is that the problems are still there.’
Asked if he was a victim of his falling out with Paul Pogba, Mourinho added: ‘No. The problems are there. You can imagine that the problems are the players, the organisation, the ambition.
‘I only say that I cannot say yes when you ask if Paul was the only one responsible.’
Hessenuk on May 15th, 2019 at 12:38 UTC »
I just want to watch him more as a pundit. He's got knowledge and charisma and humour, he's been fucking brilliant as a pundit.
EpiDeMic522 on May 15th, 2019 at 12:24 UTC »
He also said that he didn't wish to speak on Man United, because time does.
I'd love to see this man on a televised debate. He'll roast his opponents like hell, all along with a cheeky grin...