Paul Pogba has opened up on his struggles with depression during his time at Manchester United, with a special reference to Jose Mourinho.
Paul Pogba has endured a rather difficult spell at Manchester United since rejoining the club back in 2016. He was brought in to add a new spark to the club’s midfield and to serve as the leading figure for the Red Devils in the years to come.
However, Pogba’s spell at Old Trafford has been far from perfect. If the inconsistent performances on the pitch were not enough, the midfielder has received countless criticism over his influence at the club and his inability to live up to the hefty price tag.
In an interview with Le Figaro, the Manchester United ace has opened up on his struggles at Manchester United, admitting to going into depression, with a special reference to Jose Mourinho.
“I’ve had depression in my career, but we don’t talk about it. Sometimes you don’t know you are, you just want to isolate yourself, be alone. These are unmistakable signs. Personally, it started when I was with Jose Mourinho at United. You ask yourself questions, you wonder if you are at fault because you have never experienced these moments in your life,” said Pogba.
It is no secret that Pogba and Mourinho did not get along well during their time together at Old Trafford. The Portuguese tactician had called out the Frenchman publicly on multiple occasions during his stint as the Manchester United manager.
Adding to his monologue, Pogba suggests it is considered taboo for football players to talk about depression. He stated, “All top athletes go through these moments but few talk about it. Inevitably, you will feel it in your body, in your head, and you may have a month, even a year, where you are not well. But you don’t have to say it. In any case publicly.”
“We earn a lot of money, and we don’t complain really, but that doesn’t prevent us from going through moments that are more difficult than others, like everyone else in life. Because you make money, you always have to be happy? It’s not like that, life. But, in football, it does not pass, we are however not superheroes, but only human beings,” he added.
After nearly six years of struggle at Manchester United, many expect Pogba to leave Manchester United at the end of the season when his current contract expires. It could be a turning point in the midfielder’s career, as he looks to take the next step amid interest from his former club Juventus.
