Paul Pogba tried to bury the hatchet with Jose Mourinho after Manchester United romped to victory in their first game since he was sacked.
Pogba was involved in four goals as United won 5-1 at Cardiff under interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – the first time they have scored five in the Premier League since Sir Alex Ferguson's last game in charge in 2013.
The Frenchman's relationship with Mourinho turned toxic as he was stripped of the vice-captaincy and benched for the manager's final three league games.
Pogba added fuel to the fire by posting a picture of himself smirking on social media shortly after Mourinho was axed on Tuesday.
However, the 25-year-old midfielder attempted to smooth over their fall-out by publicly thanking Mourinho for making him a better person and player.
Pogba admitted that 'not everything went well' with the Portuguese coach, but pointed out that Mourinho won three trophies in his first season.
'I know you're waiting for something about Jose or about the result,' he told reporters after United's win in Cardiff. 'Obviously, we're really happy about the result. We played well and the performance of the team was great.
'I know you want to ask, "oh yeah, but with Jose…" With Jose, we won trophies. We worked. I want to thank him for that.
'Not everything went well, but things went well. We won trophies. He made me improve, as a person as well. That's it. That's the past. I want to thank him for that. I'm sure all the players do.
'Now we're looking at the next game, for the points we need. We want to go back to the top of the league. The performance was great.
'We are happy as well for the first game with the new manager to start like this. And the most important thing is to carry on like that. We cannot play like this with five goals and in the next game lose. That's it.'
Pogba's former teammate Wayne Rooney admitted that it was the right decision by Old Trafford chief Ed Woodward to sack Mourinho and install Solskjaer after the relationship between the coaching team and the players turned sour.
Speaking as a pundit for BT Sport, Rooney said: 'Something had to change. It was the right decision.
'I stay in touch with a lot of people at the club. I speak to them quite a lot. To be a successful club you need to have everything right. That relationship between some of the staff and players wasn't great. Bringing in Ole and Mick (Phelan) will change things.
'Not just the players, the whole football club. I'm sure Ed Woodward was the same, the staff, the kitchen ladies, the kit men, they weren't enjoying it.
'Ole is the person I know straight away the staff are happy and, as you've seen today, the players also. The staff are smiling and happy and that rubs off on the players. I think it's a good move for the club and gives them more time to get the right man in the summer.'
Longlife2000
114
Pogba new haircut .....😂😂😂👇
fiycdopuyz
77
pogba concerntrate on football.mou already made his name in coaching field n u not his level.it'll help u if u concerntrate. U just played one match against 17th position Cardiff city .U problems with isn't that u never playyed one match good but ur inconsistency to the games.Cardiff isn't a team u'll want to show u are good nor use to defend urself .
Rayokasali
67
I hope they can stop talking about Jose soon. But it seem they never will. soon the euphoria of Jose gone will dry up and it will be down to tactics and team strength. them and only then will we know if Manchester is red or blue.
Eloisesam18
64
Sarcastic. I admit he played well yesterday but not only him. Everybody play their best because they want to impress Ole to get their spot as first eleven squad. But to me the most impressive player yesterday is Jesse Lingard. I never see he play quick pass & good holding ball like yesterday. Overall every player seems enjoy their game. I think they all know what talent they have. They knew they can play but their mind not happy. They knew what they’re doing. It’s like they already plan to remove Mourinho from the club. Let’s see how’s the next game will be. Too early to say they come back but it’s a beautiful win!
soadpu
62
The result proved that Pogba never put in his efforts to play under Jose. This type of Player will never go far.because very soon he will to it to another manager. This show that how weak the MU board is . let Player pulling your nose. No more MU for me unless they change. That WOOD and few players is blocking MU to go far. I still support Jose.
Baoacdeou
52
Ohool I can see a lot of people here jealous about pogba, what has he done? he was asked questions so u wanted to keep quiet? did he say bad things about mourinho? learn to appreciate players when have too results, whether its Cardiff or man city a win is a win what matters is three points, if man lost u could even be insulting the players, the board n the new manager so if u don't have something good to comment on our players it better to keep quiet rather than yapping yapping here. mourinho is gone n he will never manage man u again if u want u can pee on yourself but he will never manage man u again thus it, what is important now is to support the team n the coach to take every game as a final.leave pogba alone n let him enjoy football thus all