Paul Pogba: 'I accept Jose Mourinho's decisions'

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 24 June 2018

Paul Pogba acknowledges that he needs to respond with improved performances on the field next season if he is to hold down a regular starting spot at Manchester United.

Manchester United ace Paul Pogba has admitted that being left out of the starting lineup at times last season was strange, but he 'accepts' Jose Mourinho's decision.

The £89m midfielder endured a hit-and-miss second campaign at Old Trafford, finding himself in and out of the side at one point as Mourinho experimented with different options.

Pogba, who still ended 2017-18 with 10 assists and six goals in the Premier League, acknowledges that the only way he can truly win his manager over is with his performances on the field.

"There was little things with [Mourinho] we can say, but nothing after all. These things make you grow also," he told reporters while on World Cup duty with France.

"I never had this experience so far, to sit on the bench in a season, after being a starter in the team. This is also the coach's job, this is his role, I need to accept that. And like I'm always saying, the only answer is on the pitch."

Pogba played 90 minutes and 89 minutes respectively in France's victories over Australia and Peru in their opening two World Cup matches.