Paul Pogba says he wants to show Manchester United that they made a mistake by letting him go... after accusing them of bluffing over a new contract offer.
The World Cup winner, who joined United for a then-world record £89million in August 2016, is leaving United on a free transfer when his contract expires on June 30. It will be the second time the Frenchman, now 29, has left Old Trafford on a free transfer.
While much was made of Pogba’s return to the club when he arrived back from Juventus six years ago, he failed to stamp his authority on the club. Despite helping Les Bleus to World Cup glory in 2018, the only silverware he picked up in Manchester were the Europa League and League Cup in 2017, under Jose Mourinho.
Pogba, speaking in his new Amazon Prime documentary named The Pogmentary , said: “My thought process is to show Manchester (United) that they made a mistake in waiting to give me a contract. And to show other clubs that Manchester had made a mistake in not offering me a contract.”
United twice made the Frenchman offers to extend his deal, with offers worth more than his £290k-a-week deal.
In his documentary, Pogba is seen on holiday in Miami in July 2021, Pogba is seen speaking to his late agent, Mino Raiola, on the phone, where his frustration and disillusionment with the club hierarchy becomes clear.
“Paul, you are in a situation which is very particular,” says Raiola. “You have no idea. You have no idea .”
Pogba responds: “Did Manchester (United) make a second offer?"
“Yes. They absolutely want you to stay," confirms Raiola. "[But] For me, the offer doesn’t reflect that. I told them, ‘If you want him to stay, don’t make that offer’. I will make them understand that if they really want you to stay and they want to build a project around you, this time they have to act differently and put the money on the table.”
“They’re bluffing,” accuses Pogba. “How can you tell a player you absolutely want him and offer him nothing? Never seen that.”
*The Pogmentary launches exclusively on Prime Video worldwide on June 17
