“I couldn’t speak”: 32-yo star reveals his relationship with ex-United boss was so difficult he started losing hair

Paul Pogba has reflected on his relationship with Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.

Pogba, 32, is on the hunt for a new club after serving an 18-month doping ban. He is a free agent after leaving Juventus following the mutual termination of his contract in Turin.

The first time he left Turin, the optics surrounding the Frenchman were very different. In the summer of 2016, Pogba was one of the most sought-after midfielders in Europe.

United, his former club, fought with Real Madrid for his services and eventually won the race after breaking the then-transfer record by paying north of €100 million to Juventus.

However, the much-talked-about move didn’t go as planned, sending his career into a downward spiral.

One of the big reasons behind his frustrating stint at Old Trafford was his and Jose Mourinho’s failure to get on the same page. The ex-United gaffer used his big-money signing all across the midfield but could not maximise his potential.

Shining light on his difficult relationship with Mourinho, Pogba recalled to GQ France: “I didn’t understand. I was a player with a big role in the team, and suddenly, I found myself on the bench.”

He continued: “I couldn’t speak, there was no communication. I wasn’t happy, and a football player who isn’t happy can’t perform well. I fell into depression without even realizing it. Because no one teaches us what depression is. Until one day, I started getting bald spots in my scalp. I didn’t understand what it was. They told me it was stress.”

Mourinho was eventually shown the exit door and replaced by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Solskjaer appeared to understand Pogba’s skill sets better and used his attacking instincts in the final third to great effect but injury issues limited his appearances under the Norwegian.

Ultimately, United and the player decided it was best to go separate ways in 2022.

In February, The Peoples Person relayed a report claiming United are interested in signing Pogba for a third time, owing to midfield crisis at the club. However, things on that front have gone quiet of late.