Paul Pogba has revealed that he had sought to leave Manchester United long before his eventual departure to Juventus in 2022. The French midfielder, who had a rollercoaster second spell at the Premier League club, admitted in a recent interview with the *Daily Mail* that he wanted out of Old Trafford as early as 2019, despite enjoying his best season following Jose Mourinho’s departure.
Pogba, who first left United in 2012 to join Juventus before returning in 2016, said that after Mourinho was sacked and replaced by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he felt his time at the club was coming to an end. The 2018-19 season saw Pogba score 16 goals in 47 games across all competitions, but despite this success, he was ready for a fresh start.
“The year Jose went and Ole came, it was my best season at United. But after the last game, I told Ole and Ed Woodward [then-executive vice-chairman] that I thought it was my last year and I wanted to leave,” Pogba shared.
He expressed frustration with Manchester United’s stagnation compared to their rivals, Manchester City and Liverpool, who were continually improving at the time. Although Solskjaer was open to Pogba’s departure, Woodward blocked the move, forcing Pogba to remain at the club.
“I didn’t want to play for United anymore, but I had to be professional. Mentally, I wasn’t there, and then I got the injuries,” Pogba added, reflecting on how his desire to leave and subsequent injuries affected his mindset and performance.
Pogba’s second stint at Manchester United was often overshadowed by injuries and transfer speculation, with a potential move to Real Madrid frequently discussed. However, he remained with the club until 2022, when he rejoined Juventus on a free transfer.
