Paul Pogba reveals Sir Alex Ferguson confrontation

By Liam Power, Reporter | 28 May 2013

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba reveals that he decided to leave Manchester United last summer after a frank exchange with Sir Alex Ferguson following the return of Paul Scholes.

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has revealed that he decided to leave Manchester United last year after a confrontation with boss Sir Alex Ferguson.

Pogba found first-team opportunities at Old Trafford limited during a three-year spell and decided to swap Manchester for Turin on a free transfer when Juve came calling last summer.

The French international has disclosed that he held a frank conversation with Ferguson after Paul Scholes came out of retirement and decided that the time was right to leave United.

He told France Football: "I never disrespected Sir Alex Ferguson, if anything it is the opposite, because I said things to his face.

"When I knew of Paul Scholes's return I understood that I would find it difficult to play and that I had to leave United. Ferguson told me that in Italy there is a lot of racism and that the fans were not like the Premier League's. I told him that there was no problem for me so I ended up on the team's fringes.

"My teammates gave me the nickname of Nelson Mandela because I was opposed to Ferguson. But I would say no to Obama too. Antonio Conte, instead, told me that age is not important and that the best players would play. I want to become the best in the world and win the Ballon d'Or."

The 20-year-old has quickly established himself in Juve's starting XI, making 35 appearances to help the Old Lady retain their Serie A crown.