Pogba: This is the main reason United sacked Mourinho

Paul Pogba believes that Manchester United’s decision to sack Jose Mourinho was entirely down to results, not player power.

Mourinho was fired in December on the back of a 3-1 defeat at Liverpool, though his failure to get the best out of World Cup winner Pogba was often cited as a factor in the Red Devils’ poor form.

Interim boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has since revitalised United, with Pogba playing a starring role, scoring eight Premier League goals under the Norwegian.

But despite his reported troubles with Mourinho, the midfielder, speaking ahead of France’s Euro 2020 qualifier against Moldova on Friday, has insisted that United’s poor results – and not dressing room unrest – were the reason for the Portuguese’s sacking.

“What were the issues? We were not winning,” Pogba told a news conference.

“That’s why they decided to change the head coach.

“The results matter the most. If we were winning, we would have good results and the coach would have remained at his position. That’s all.”

pic.twitter.com/M3ieJ15yr9— Equipe de France (@equipedefrance) March 19, 2019

Pogba was instrumental in France’s World Cup win, but Les Bleus failed to replicate that form in the Nations League, finishing second behind Netherlands in League A Group One.

And Pogba has acknowledged that it was difficult for Didier Deschamps’ squad to motivate themselves after the triumph in Russia, but has no doubts over France’s ability to do so for the Euro 2020 qualifiers.

“After the World Cup we didn’t qualify for the Nation League Cup… that’s how it’s called?” Pogba said.

“There are several factors including tiredness and mental fatigue, it’s stressful. We just ended a huge competition. 

“The players were tired after a long season. It’s a part of it. It will not prevent us to play the qualifiers and to go through [to Euro 2020].”