Paul Pogba’s relationship with Manchester United talisman Cristiano Ronaldo remains stronger than ever, even after saying his goodbyes to the club
The Frenchman failed to truly live up to expectations since he returned to United for the second time in 2016. The World Cup winner cost them a record fee of £89m but he fell remarkably short of justifying that fee during his time at the club.
Pogba was one of the most high-profile figures at the club during a turbulent last campaign that saw them finish with their worst points tally of the Premier League era.
Another, undeniably more famous face within United dressing room was Ronaldo – there were reports of a rift between the duo as they jostled for power within the ranks became common.
But, they were the furthest thing from the truth, as exhibited by Pogba’s defence of Ronaldo after his finest performance of the campaign against Tottenham – in which he netted a hat-trick.
“He [Ronaldo] has never been a problem. You have the best striker in history in our team, he cannot be a problem. Today the performance from him and all the team was very brilliant,” said Pogba.
“Everybody knows Cristiano – there’s no need to talk about him. That’s what he does. He didn’t play in the last game, but he comes back and scores three goals. Everybody’s happy.”
It has since emerged that the affection was not only one way, with The Athletic claiming that Ronaldo viewed Pogba as one of the few United players he could depend upon when things got tough.
The Portugal captain even wanted to link up with Pogba while at Real Madrid due to the ‘variety and quality’ of the Frenchman’s passing ability.
Both were viewed as figures to look up to and turn to for advice for the younger players in the team. Ronaldo was convinced by United’s former number six to be more engaging and patient with others in the dressing room.
United bid farewell to their ex-academy star in a statement that read: “Pogba’s final season at the club started off in hugely promising fashion, with an astonishing four assists in our opening-day thrashing of Leeds United, but more injury problems would ultimately derail his ambitions.
“It was a low-key end to a United career that had brought so many individual high moments, so many beautiful goals, assists and pieces of skill. But for a boy that joined the Academy at 16 to make over 200 United appearances and lift the Youth Cup, along with two major pieces of silverware – not to mention the World Cup at international level – is something that should be applauded and celebrated.”
