For the last few years, Paul Pogba's future at Manchester United has constantly come into question. Now, it seems he has finally handed in his resignation at Manchester United.
In an emotional tell-all interview with Le Figaro, the Frenchman has all but confirmed that this season at Old Trafford will be his last after opening up on his turbulent second spell at the club.
From questioning Ralf Rangnick's stewardship, a lack of trophies and revealing that he suffered from bouts of depression under Jose Mourinho, the writing is on the wall for a player who is in the final few months of his current contract.
While it remains unclear where exactly Pogba's future lies, the World Cup winner will not be short of destinations once he passes through the Old Trafford exits at the end of the season.
And in a damning assessment of United, the 29-year-old has suggested that the last five years of his career – and his prime – have frustratingly fallen short of his expectations.
The interview will surely stun the higher-ups back at United, having claimed that the season is now 'dead' given it will be yet another year – the club's fifth in a row – without a trophy.
‘You have to be honest, the last five seasons have not satisfied me – really not at all,' Pogba said. ‘This year it is dead, we won’t win anything. Whether it is with Manchester United or at another club, I want to win trophies.’
For United, they still remain in the hunt for a fourth-place finish and while it's not a trophy, the Red Devils will not consider their season 'dead' just yet. But for Pogba, there's nothing left to play for. His mind is made up.
How Pogba has arrived at this unhappy ending, at a club he so badly wanted to succeed at, is a tragedy, especially given the fanfare of his second coming.
After becoming a serial title winner with Juventus, Pogba was the prodigal son that returned with for a record-breaking £89million and a whole lot of hope attached with it.
The pressure was on to deliver, and by the end of the first campaign, he had done just that, delivering a Europa League and Carabao Cup under Mourinho.
But it didn't take long for their relationship to fray and a public spat during training let the world know that all was not right behind the scenes.
So much so, Pogba revealed that he ended up sinking into depression under the Special One, sparking what would be the beginning of a rocky second stint in United colours.
When asked if he's ever experienced depression by Le Figaro, Pogba said: 'Completely, and several times in my career. Personally, it started when I was with José Mourinho in Manchester (2016-2017). You ask yourself questions, you wonder if you are at fault, because you have never experienced these moments in your 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.’
While Mourinho would eventually end up getting the boot from United, the problems and criticisms continued to mount for Pogba.
Seen as the poster-boy for the club – given his price and global influence – his often lacklustre performances on the pitch saw him heavily blamed for United's shortcomings, with Graeme Souness and Roy Keane some of his most vocal critics.
After just a couple of years back at the club he came through the academy, Pogba openly admitted to wanting a 'new challenge' while away in Tokyo.
Continuous links with Juventus and Real Madrid surfaced every summer and the Frenchman's apparent exit made headlines.
While the move never came to fruition, it became the first real time that Pogba admitted that he saw that his future lay elsewhere.
A glimmer of hope that Pogba could stay and thrive at United came after he guided France to the World Cup in 2018, where he was seen as a focal leader in the dressing room.
However, with the constant chopping and changing of managers back at his club, Pogba was left to question what his role was in the United set-up – an issue he doesn't have when representing his country.
‘It’s simple with France, I play and I play in my position – I know my role and I feel the confidence of the coach and the players,’ he said.
‘It’s normal to feel a difference at Manchester United because it’s hard to be consistent when you often have a change to your position, or the team system, or your partners.
‘I get along very well with [France boss Didier Deschamps], he gave me a role that I know, but at Manchester United do I really have a role? I ask the question but I don’t have an answer.’
This pointed jab at United's interim boss Ralf Rangnick will not go down well given it is yet another player to publicly question the German since his appointment late last year.
While a new manager will take over from Rangnick in the summer, it seems Pogba has no interest in sticking around to find out exactly who that will be and has flirted with a move back to France.
It's not the first time, either, given he was linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain last summer but with Lionel Messi's sensational arrival, the Ligue 1 giants opted to wait a year and see if they could get the midfielder on a free this summer.
Currently away with France for the international break, Pogba revealed just how happy he is when he links back up with the national team, calling them his family.
'We get along really well, we're all connected, and I'm sure if you ask everyone, they'll tell you the same thing,' Pogba said. 'It's a family here. The France team is my home, even if we are all just passing through.'
When asked if he would like to play with France team-mate Kylian Mbappe at club level, Pogba responded: 'Why not? It's always good to play with team-mates in the France team and in the club.'
Mbappe, who is also out of contract in the summer, looks destined to Real Madrid this summer. It is not unfeasible that Pogba will join him at the Bernabeu
The confirmation that Pogba would leave this summer hasn't always looked nailed on this season, with talks held over a new deal just a few months ago.
However, the final nail was hammered in last week for reasons both on and off the pitch.
On it, Manchester United's fate was sealed when Atletico Madrid came to Old Trafford and dumped out of the Champions League, confirming another season without a trophy.
Off it, Pogba's 'worst nightmares' were realised when his home was burgled as he played in the last-16 tie as his two children slept in their bedrooms, sparking serious concerns that he was no longer safe in his own home.
He also confirmed that his World Cup winner's medal was taken in the five-minute raid.
'There were jewels from my mother, my world champion medal,' Pogba added.
'What scared me the most was that my two children were at home with the nanny during this incident.
'She overheard everything, called my wife and security, then locked herself with the boys in a room. For several days, she was shocked. The main thing is that my children are well.'
The end now looks in sight for Pogba at Old Trafford and his time has come to a disappointing end after five years without winning any silverware.
It's still anyone's guess where he'll be playing his football next season.
pawelntyz
0
Well MU loves Rangnick and they’ll hire a manager just like him. And United will wonder why they’re getting the same result from the new manager. Pogba, Ronaldo, Cavani, Maguire, McTominey and others having their worst season ever. What could cause this? Plus a number of players want out. Good coaches fit their system to their players. Poor coaches demand players play their system. Dissection occurred every where. We have seen this so often that it’s not surprising. MU will probably be the same or worse next season
It's nothing to do with the manager he gives them instructions they have to preform not his fault we have the most overrated team in the league that's the problem are GK can't take kick outs, are LB and RBs are bad at going forward and they can't cross a ball for there life, we have 1 CB in the whole squad that's actually good, we have a midfield that hesitate near every pass when we're on counter attacks and we have no players that can pass full stop Pogba walks and so does Ronaldo so we're down two players every game when it comes to pressing other teams we need to sell a good few players and rebuild such as (Shaw, Maguire, mata, matic, martial, Rashford, Jones) then bring in good players that aren't hyped up such as (Theo Hernandez (LB) , Dest(RB) , Koulibaly/ Rudigar/Klostermann(CBs) , Marcus Llorente (CM/CDM), Kane(ST) ) signings like that instead of wasting money on the next big thing or some youth player like diallo waste of 45 mil or Maguire 80 mil like obviously we spend loads of money but on stupid players like that 😂😂
pawelntyz
0
Just leave the club then the fans aren't bothered if you leave or not we can't get any worse tbh 😂 we actually played better without pogba in the squad he should go to a easier league like the Spanish league or the Italian league so he can actually look good again he's only good with a good team around him so please leave be for the best, sick of seeing articles about him grow a pair deal with your criticism and get out the club
KingRogers7
0
Goodbye We need genuine players at United. It's a good thing for both Pogba & UTD.
ManUnited-Red
2
then good luck where you 👍🏽
depbinpuy
1
cant wait he leaves.... he never takes responsibility for his inability to delver.... we rarely ever see the quality player hebsay supposed to be...
sutbcdeiln
0
let him go - he's never really played good football for man U, he's been one of the jokers
Tell me who’s played really good football even cr7 has struggled at times on his return
hoacikmy
0
Well MU loves Rangnick and they’ll hire a manager just like him. And United will wonder why they’re getting the same result from the new manager. Pogba, Ronaldo, Cavani, Maguire, McTominey and others having their worst season ever. What could cause this? Plus a number of players want out. Good coaches fit their system to their players. Poor coaches demand players play their system. Dissection occurred every where. We have seen this so often that it’s not surprising. MU will probably be the same or worse next season
bluebloods
1
If I were a United fan, I’d want him to leave I don’t know why they keep trying to hold on to him
Mocciknrs
1
plz get out you is not as good as people think waste
zedacdim
1
I have two letters for Pogba...- G and O - !!!...get it?!
logannasti
2
you've tried. Paul
Hesdemnpr
2
Let's get another club Paul I will follow you I am your supporter
adedefender
3
Finally, this is answered prayers. Pls get out and shut the door behind you.
cupaceklz
1
let him go - he's never really played good football for man U, he's been one of the jokers
Chidon_Sports
3
Imagine Pogba who can't run in midfield blaming Man Utd for his depression?
Revel
3
Another international duty, another Pogba saga. I mean this guy should just get out of the club already 🙂 [Crylaugh]
Lihbdoruyz
2
it will be joy to see your back at the exit door of old Trafford. pogback!