“Do you think that…” Paul Pogba hits back at Wayne Rooney for 2021 Manchester United claim

Paul Pogba has hit back at a claim made by Wayne Rooney about the pair’s time together at Manchester United.

Paul Pogba left Manchester United in 2022 following the expiry of his six-year contract that he signed upon becoming the world’s most expensive player for a fee of £89 million from Juventus.

Although the former French international started out well, winning two trophies in his first season alongside Jose Mourinho, the pair’s relationship turned sour.

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When Mourinho was sacked, Pogba found new form under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær, although he was hit by a series of injuries towards the end of his time at Old Trafford.

Pogba’s period at the club was marred with controversy as many felt he wasn’t taking footballs seriously enough when, in truth, he was. He was just a flamboyant character who created moments of brilliant flair that had his poor performances overly criticised due to the fee United paid for him.

Rooney’s 2021 claim

Speaking in 2021, former United captain Wayne Rooney claimed he once remembered being angry after he saw Pogba and his close friend Jesse Lingard dancing in the dressing room after a defeat.

“I do remember one time, coming into training at United the day after a defeat, still feeling very annoyed and walking into the dressing room with Michael Carrick,” Rooney explained.

“We found Jesse and Paul dancing in there with the music on. I went over, turned it off and took the speakers out of the dressing room — because that’s my mindset, that’s how I’ve grown up in football.

“Paul and Jesse accepted it because I was the senior player, but in hindsight, they were not doing anything wrong, not hurting anyone, and it was just my old-school mentality kicking in.

“As Rio Ferdinand has said, players of our generation just have to get used to this generation and what has changed.”

Pogba’s denial

In a new interview, Pogba has strenuously denied this claim. “I want to clarify,” he told Sky Sports.

“I heard Wayne Rooney say that we lost a game and me and Jesse were dancing in the changing room. 

“You always need a witness, OK? If someone can confirm what Rooney said, I will accept it.

“If there is not, it is not true. Lingard never confirmed that because I am a very bad loser and I respect the club.

“Wayne Rooney, a legend of the club, sitting there and not saying anything. Do you think that matches?”

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