“I’ll tell you something I’ve never told anyone” - Pogba opens up on how progress made by 2 clubs led to him wanting to quit Manchester United

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has revealed what led to his exit from the club in 2022. He admitted that the trajectory of the Red Devils' progress and their rivals forced him to think about moving on.

Paul Pogba first joined Manchester United as a 16-year-old in 2009 from the famed Le Havre academy. He was promoted to the first team two years later and made seven appearances for the senior side before leaving on a free to Serie A giants Juventus in 2012.

Four years after establishing himself as one of the best midfielders in Europe, Pogba returned to England. Juventus received a then-record fee of €105 million plus another €5 million in add-ons from Manchester United.

While the club was managed by legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson during his first spell, it was undergoing a period of transition in his second stint. Jose Mourinho had just taken over the club and two years on, he was moved on for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, the 31-year-old recalled wanting to leave three years after rejoining them due to the lack of progress at the club. He admitted that their rivals' progress also played a key role in his decision of wanting to leave in the summer of 2019.

"I will tell you something I’ve never told anyone. The year Jose went and Ole came, it was my best season at United but after the last game, I told Ole and Ed Woodward that I thought it was my last year and that I wanted to leave," he admitted.

"I was 27 back then, it didn’t work out the way I wanted. I gave my best but I didn’t see the club going upwards. Manchester City and Liverpool were better than us and they were improving," the former France international added.

With Jose Mourinho, Pogba won the Europa League and EFL Cup at Manchester United. However, that was the end of silverware for Pogba's time in England.

"Mentally I wasn't there" - Paul Pogba on wanting to leave Manchester United

Paul Pogba is currently suspended from playing football for doping violations. His initial four-year ban was reduced to 18 months with the player eligible to play from March 2025 onwards.

The French midfielder recalled how he had an agreement with then-Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to leave the club, but director Ed Woodward blocked his transfer.

"Ole said yes [to me leaving] and that he would talk to Ed. My head was already that I wanted to go, but I came back for pre-season because I wanted to be professional. I spoke to Ed to try to make a move but he blocked it," the 31-year-old revealed.

Seeing Manchester United go back on their word on letting him leave left the versatile midfielder disillusioned. He admitted that he didn't want to play for the club anymore.

"I didn’t want to play for United anymore but I had to be professional. Mentally I wasn’t there and then I got the injuries," he revealed.

Paul Pogba stayed at United for three more seasons, eventually leaving in 2022 after his contract expired.