Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has denied disrespecting Sir Alex Ferguson following his acrimonious exit from Manchester United.
The highly rated Frenchman joined the Serie A outfit after snubbing a new contract at Old Trafford, prompting Ferguson to claim that he was pleased to see the 19-year-old leave.
Pogba has hit back, revealing he left the Premier League side after growing frustrated at a lack of first-team opportunities.
“I understand that people were surprised that I refused to extend my contract with Manchester United, but Manchester United and Juventus are the same – they are two great clubs,” he told L’Equipe.
“There were things which we did not agree on but I don’t regret anything. I learned a lot there.
“The coach trusted me, but he didn’t play me, he said I was too young. He told me ‘Your time will come’, but it didn’t come. Despite the fact that he is the boss, my goal was to play.
“He said I disrespected him. I do not know why he said that. A 19-year-old who says no, maybe he was stuck. But for me, it will not change anything. This is not to say that I will speak ill of Manchester. I love this club.
“I didn’t realise that at 19 years old, I’m playing in one of the biggest clubs in Europe. I’m still young. I have not yet played sixty matches in any league or the Champions League. For now I am nothing. It is simply a chance for me to play in a big club.”
