Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has revealed that he opted to leave Manchester United after Sir Alex Ferguson preferred Rafael da Silva to him for a match against Blackburn Rovers in 2011.
Despite United's midfield being depleted through injury, Pogba could only earn a place on the bench at Ewood Park after then manager Ferguson selected right-back Rafael, and the Frenchman says that was the catalyst for him to seek a move elsewhere.
The 20-year-old told Telefoot: "I said to Ferguson: 'Play me, and I will show you if I'm ready or not'.
"Against Blackburn on December 31, 2011, I was on the bench. Ferguson puts Rafael in midfield with Park Ji-Sung. Then I gave up. I was really bummed.
"I joined Juve to silence people who have criticised me, who did not believe in me and said that I would fail."
Pogba has since established himself in Serie A, making 40 appearances at the Italian club.
Germany
Switzerland
Hungary
Scotland
Spain
Italy
Croatia
Albania
England
Denmark
Slovenia
Serbia
Austria
France
Netherlands
Poland
Romania
Belgium
Slovakia
Ukraine
Portugal
Turkey
Georgia
Czech Republic