Paul Ince: 'Jose Mourinho is suffocating Paul Pogba at Manchester United'

By Barney Corkhill, Editor | 22 November 2018

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince claims that Jose Mourinho is "suffocating" Paul Pogba and believes the Frenchman should leave the club.

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince has claimed that Paul Pogba is being "suffocated" by manager Jose Mourinho.

The pair have endured a tempestuous relationship at Old Trafford and reports of a major fall-out reached fever pitch earlier this season, although tensions have since simmered down.

However, Ince believes that Mourinho is failing to get the best out of Pogba and claims that the World Cup winner returning to Juventus could be in the best interests of both parties.

"We know that he's a fantastic player. We saw that at Juventus and I don't think we can blame him for the fact he's been suffocated by Jose Mourinho. It's clear when he's given some freedom to play how he wants, he's world class. But he's been stifled at United and often played in the wrong way," Ince told Paddy Power.

"I can't say I'm surprised to hear about the Paul Pogba rumours, suggesting he's interested in leaving Old Trafford in January. He said recently that he was happy at Man United, but I didn't believe any of that. I believe a Pogba move away from United would suit both parties. If we're being honest, he's never settled on his return to the club.

"He's been inconsistent in his performances, going from world class to looking bang average, and there's always been whispers and transfer talk surrounding him in that time. His personality is to stir up rumours - like getting in a picture with Messi recently . He's an attention-seeker, he wants people to talk about him.

"The drama around Pogba reminds me of Eric Cantona. There was always something going on with Eric, but he was too good to get rid of. You didn't care about all the noise around him. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying he's Cantona, but if he plays at a top level then no one at United will care about the drama that comes along with Pogba."

The likes of Juventus and Barcelona are thought to be interested in Pogba, who has scored five goals in 15 appearances for United across all competitions this season.