Ever the enfant terrible, Paul Pogba seemed to poke fun at his training-ground bust-up with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho on Wednesday.
Pogba and Mourinho exchanged words as the Frenchman arrived on the pitch at United’s Carrington training complex.
Sky Sports News’ cameras captured the duo’s clash, with Pogba staring fiercely at Mourinho, who was heard saying “Get out” at one point to the 25-year-old midfielder.
In a longer video clip released later in the day, Mourinho is seen calling on United press officer John Allen, and UK media reports speculated that it was about an Instagram post Pogba made during the Red Devils’ League Cup defeat to Derby County on Tuesday night.
— MUFC (@MufcVideo3) September 26, 2018
Pogba, who was rested for the match, was laughing as he recorded left back Luke Shaw sitting in the stands.
“John, come here please. When did Paul post on Instagram?” Mourinho asked Allen, where after Pogba responded to Allen.
🧐 A CLOSER LOOK! 🧐
It looks like Jose Mourinho wasn't too happy with Paul Pogba's Instagram post last night...👀
A look back at their relationship: https://t.co/F0wvfdwoTx pic.twitter.com/7YfegyToCi
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) September 26, 2018
The controversy began on Saturday following United’s 1-1 draw with Wolves, where Pogba said in a post-match interview that the team had to “attack, attack, attack” when they played at Old Trafford – suggesting that it was Mourinho’s defensive tactics that led to them conceding an equaliser.
But it was actually Pogba who lost possession that led to Joao Moutinho’s goal in the 53rd minute.
Mourinho reacted by stripping Pogba of the “second captain” role in a reported dressing-room dressing down in front of the players.
But the Portuguese manager said after the defeat to Derby County that he didn’t have a problem with Pogba.
“The only truth is I made the decision of Paul not to be the second captain anymore. I am the manager I make these decisions, no fall out at all, no problem at all,” Mourinho said.
“The same person who takes the decision to make him second captain makes this decision now.”
#Mourinho pic.twitter.com/VtGewU8xWC
— MUFC (@MufcVideo3) September 25, 2018
On Wednesday, after his clash with Mourinho, Pogba posted a photo of his winking-face emoji earring on his Instagram stories, with an additional emoji plastered on the picture.
Paul Pogba posted this photo to Instagram after training on Wednesday. Photo: @paulpogba via Instagram
It came after he tweeted on Monday, after what happened against Wolves: “Some people make polemic even from “good morning” to create drama. Big Pogoodmorning everyone hope u get it twisted”
Pogba has been linked with a move to Barcelona in the January transfer window, and this latest incident may just hasten his departure.
@ashfakmohamed