Rooney claims Pogba and Mourinho relationship was always doomed… because of warring egos
Pogba has looked to be a player reborn under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but Rooney believes that is hardly a surprise
WAYNE ROONEY believes the relationship between Paul Pogba and Jose Mourinho was always doomed to fail... because of their incredible egos.
Pogba, 25, has looked to be a player reborn under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but Rooney believes that is hardly a surprise.
The DC United star, 33, says it was impossible for the World Cup winner to thrive in a system that smothered any inkling of creativity.
On top of that, the fact and the self-professed Special One were such big characters, meant sparks were always going to fly.
Roo told ESPN: "I think with Paul, I watched him come through the academy at United and he's got a lot of ability.
"If you don't have a good relationship with the coach, then it's difficult to be at your top if you feel like the coach is scrutinising every decision you make, every pass you make.
"Paul Pogba will give the ball away, he'll try passes [and] it won't be the right pass at times.
"But you have to let him do that because two or three of them passes will create goals, will create opportunities.
"I think he found it difficult under Mourinho.
"I think a player and a manager with big egos clashed and the outcome was never going to be great."
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Meanwhile, Rooney has piled praise on Solskjaer... but insists United need to "go all out" to land Mauricio Pochettino.
The ex-Everton ace added: "First of all you have to give Ole an opportunity and that's a discussion that has to take place with the Glazer.
"But if I had the opportunity to appoint someone, I'd go all out for Pochettino.
"I think he ticks every box in terms of his quality as a coach, but also his willingness to give youth a chance."