The former Old Trafford boss claims the interference of agent Mino Raiola was one of the reasons behind the midfielder's decision to join Juventus
Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed that Paul Pogba’s departure from Manchester United in 2012 was triggered by the midfielder’s agent Mino Raiola.
The France international left Old Trafford on a free transfer to join Juventus, with United receiving just £800,000 compensation for the then 19-year-old, who has since gone on to win three Serie A titles, the Coppa Italia, and was named Best Young Player at the 2014 World Cup.
At the time of Pogba’s exit, Ferguson had criticised the player for showing a lack of respect, but now the former United manager admits that Raiola’s interference was a factor in the midfielder’s move to Italy.
“There are one or two football agents I simply do not like, and Mino Raiola, Paul Pogba’s agent, is one of them,” Ferguson wrote in his new book ‘Leading’.
"I distrusted him from the moment I met him. He became Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s agent while he was playing for Ajax, and eventually he would end up representing Pogba, who was only 18-years-old at the time.
“We had Paul under a three-year contract, and it had a one-year renewal option which we were eager to sign. But Raiola suddenly appeared on the scene and our first meeting was a fiasco.
"He and I were like oil and water. From then on, our goose was cooked because Raiola had been able to ingratiate himself with Paul and his family and the player signed with Juventus.”
