Departing Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba "commanded major respect" from Cristiano Ronaldo, according to reports.
The Red Devils have announced that Pogba will be leaving Old Trafford on a free transfer for the second time in his career, following a disappointing six-year spell since his return from Juventus for a then-world-record fee.
The 29-year-old's Manchester United career ended in meek fashion as he scored just one goal in 27 appearances in his most recent season, with his final appearances coming in the 4-0 thrashing against Liverpool. The World Cup winner was forced off injured within the first ten minutes in that match.
According to The Athletic, the imposing midfielder is hugely respected by Cristiano Ronaldo, who also returned to Old Trafford from Juventus last summer.
The five-time Ballon d'Or winner even claimed that he "wished" he had been able to play alongside Pogba during his incredibly successful spell at Real Madrid.
The report claims that the Portuguese superstar wanted to play with Pogba due to the "variety and quality" of his passing. The pair's relationship led the French international to lobby Cristiano Ronaldo to be more constructive when helping out the younger players at the club.
Manchester United thank Cristiano Ronaldo's teammate Paul Pogba following his release
Upon his arrival to the three-time European champions, expectations were sky high for the former Juventus midfielder, but Pogba failed to truly ever live up to those hopes.
The club haven't won a major honour since the Europa League in 2017, but the club still went out of their way to praise the Frenchman after it was decided he would not be extending his stay.
In a statement released by the Red Devils, the club said:
"Pogba's final season at the club started off in hugely promising fashion, with an astonishing four assists in our opening-day thrashing of Leeds United, but more injury problems would ultimately derail his ambitions."
They added:
"It was a low-key end to a United career that had brought so many individual high moments, so many beautiful goals, assists and pieces of skill. But for a boy that joined the Academy at 16 to make over 200 United appearances and lift the Youth Cup, along with two major pieces of silverware β not to mention the World Cup at international level β is something that should be applauded and celebrated."
It further noted:
fizbizzie
1
Coming out soon on Netflix
Moscowlee
0
You will regret ever said that!
Lol. You want to bomb my club or what ???
cuzdeiklru
1
pogba is a big lost to Manchester United. Thank GOD he leave.
Podabilry
0
when team going to loose Messi sit on bench and started crying and whereas Ronaldo motivate their teammates in every minute that's real leader. and one thing think before you posted anything about Ronaldo π₯π₯π₯π₯
When do you see messi sitting on bench?
Podabilry
0
when team going to loose Messi sit on bench and started crying and whereas Ronaldo motivate their teammates in every minute that's real leader. and one thing think before you posted anything about Ronaldo π₯π₯π₯π₯
So leaders play Europa conference league! Leaders took utd from 2nd position to Europa conference league?
Podabilry
0
Youβre stupid no doubt lol
You will regret ever said that!
Moscowlee
0
Cristiano' is a big boss but Messi is a leader! Utd have too many bosses and few leaders. Utd doesn't deserve to have bosses around the utd young players but they need a leader who lead by example on and off the pitch. Mbape staying back at psg because Messi made it comfortable for him. Cr5 needs to learn leadership from Messi ! Messi, Mbappe, Neymar, Ramos , Veratti, etc in same team but no issue but Cristiano, Rasford, Bruno, Fred, Elenga, mctomaney but yet Cristiano can't get the dressing room in order, in fact they were united and one before he came and tore them apart because he is a boss and not a leader like Messi who helped psg to stabilized the team by taking the back seat πΊ.
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Youβre stupid no doubt lol
febceklnr
1
who cares and who is Ronaldo?
Imagine the player you hate is greater than your greatest legends that make them shitty legends
fewbelprsu
0
ronaldo and messi in same team plez
fewbelprsu
0
messi and Ronaldo in Same team
kosabcotz
1
who cares and who is Ronaldo?
stupid people, does the writer of this article @autty know what is cr7 thinking?πππ Get some common sense.
Nohabiortz
1
who cares and who is Ronaldo?
he's bigger than your whole Liverpool
Waubceiku
0
Cristiano' is a big boss but Messi is a leader! Utd have too many bosses and few leaders. Utd doesn't deserve to have bosses around the utd young players but they need a leader who lead by example on and off the pitch. Mbape staying back at psg because Messi made it comfortable for him. Cr5 needs to learn leadership from Messi ! Messi, Mbappe, Neymar, Ramos , Veratti, etc in same team but no issue but Cristiano, Rasford, Bruno, Fred, Elenga, mctomaney but yet Cristiano can't get the dressing room in order, in fact they were united and one before he came and tore them apart because he is a boss and not a leader like Messi who helped psg to stabilized the team by taking the back seat πΊ.
[image]
And your team has no leader. hh
shajee01
0
who cares and who is Ronaldo?
Your unsung dad
Vowcilt
2
who cares and who is Ronaldo?
BrishavSharmaGarg
1
Cristiano' is a big boss but Messi is a leader! Utd have too many bosses and few leaders. Utd doesn't deserve to have bosses around the utd young players but they need a leader who lead by example on and off the pitch. Mbape staying back at psg because Messi made it comfortable for him. Cr5 needs to learn leadership from Messi ! Messi, Mbappe, Neymar, Ramos , Veratti, etc in same team but no issue but Cristiano, Rasford, Bruno, Fred, Elenga, mctomaney but yet Cristiano can't get the dressing room in order, in fact they were united and one before he came and tore them apart because he is a boss and not a leader like Messi who helped psg to stabilized the team by taking the back seat πΊ.
[image]
when team going to loose Messi sit on bench and started crying and whereas Ronaldo motivate their teammates in every minute that's real leader. and one thing think before you posted anything about Ronaldo π₯π₯π₯π₯
vidda
0
Cristiano' is a big boss but Messi is a leader! Utd have too many bosses and few leaders. Utd doesn't deserve to have bosses around the utd young players but they need a leader who lead by example on and off the pitch. Mbape staying back at psg because Messi made it comfortable for him. Cr5 needs to learn leadership from Messi ! Messi, Mbappe, Neymar, Ramos , Veratti, etc in same team but no issue but Cristiano, Rasford, Bruno, Fred, Elenga, mctomaney but yet Cristiano can't get the dressing room in order, in fact they were united and one before he came and tore them apart because he is a boss and not a leader like Messi who helped psg to stabilized the team by taking the back seat πΊ.
[image]
you say Ronaldo not a leader or Messi has it means you never watched a football
Podabilry
4
Cristiano' is a big boss but Messi is a leader! Utd have too many bosses and few leaders. Utd doesn't deserve to have bosses around the utd young players but they need a leader who lead by example on and off the pitch. Mbape staying back at psg because Messi made it comfortable for him. Cr5 needs to learn leadership from Messi ! Messi, Mbappe, Neymar, Ramos , Veratti, etc in same team but no issue but Cristiano, Rasford, Bruno, Fred, Elenga, mctomaney but yet Cristiano can't get the dressing room in order, in fact they were united and one before he came and tore them apart because he is a boss and not a leader like Messi who helped psg to stabilized the team by taking the back seat πΊ.
Alfred-90G
1
Even the lion on Manchester United logo are tired of playing in Europa League this season and officially leaving the club. Good luck small red Lion.
Brendanobi
1
cr7 in this case, you can join pogba to wherever he want to fuckingly go. if you so wish. you see this coming season, I don't want anymore drama. no dwelling in the past or loosing concentration, or whatsoever pls
AlexanderMadrid
4
All Football Tell the world that Cr7 is a man with honor. Nice words ππ. You'll remain the undisputed goal scorer of the great football history.
The_FIFA_Labrinth
3
I feel like if Erik Ten Hag does end up fixing United, losing someone like pogba would be a shame.