Sports
‘They miss me’, Pogba puzzled by critics like Souness
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is bemused as to why he remains a constant source of criticism despite missing most of the campaign through injury.
The 27-year-old has been restricted to just eight appearances this season due to a persistent ankle injury.
Former Liverpool captain and manager Graeme Souness has been one of the most outspoken critics of Pogba since he returned to United from Juventus for a then world record £89 million ($112 million) fee in 2016.
However, Pogba claimed he did not even know who Souness was.
“I didn’t even know who he was, really,” Pogba told the official Manchester United podcast. “I heard he was a great player and stuff like that. I know the face but (not) the name.
“Like I said I’m not someone that watches a lot of (punditry), I watch a lot of football but I don’t stay after the game to listen to what they say about why they did this, or why they did that. I like to focus on football.”
Souness – who won three European Cups, and five league titles as a player at Liverpool – responded to Pogba on Tuesday morning.
“I’m happy with that. The oldest saying in football comes to mind: ‘Put your medals on the table’. I’ve got a big table,” the former Scottish international told Sky Sports.
Pogba’s return to Old Trafford has failed to match the expectations of his price tag despite winning the Europa League and League Cup in his first season under Jose Mourinho.
A bitter fall out with Mourinho followed in the next two seasons before the Portuguese was sacked in December 2018.
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And after a brief hot streak when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took charge, Pogba’s time under the Norwegian has been beset by a lack of form and fitness.
However, the French World Cup winner still believes the criticism he has received, particularly in his absence this season, is unjustified.
“It’s good to hear good stuff instead of bad stuff but when you play football, you know yourself. It’s what your manager and team-mates want, the rest is just talk,” added Pogba.
“I guess they (the critics) miss me, I don’t know? I’m not someone that looks always at Sky Sports News.
“When you know football, you don’t need someone to tell you what’s happening.
“One day maybe I will meet them and ask them because I really want to know, why?”
Sports
Transfer: Gabriel Jesus Could Leave Arsenal as Napoli Show Interest
Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus could leave the club this summer, with Italian side Napoli reportedly interested in signing the Brazilian forward.
According to Sky Italia, Napoli’s new manager, Massimiliano Allegri, is a long-term admirer of Jesus and is keen to explore the possibility of bringing him to Serie A.
Jesus and Allegri share the same agent, Giovanni Branchini, who was reportedly spotted at Napoli’s pre-season training camp in Castel di Sangro on Friday.
A meeting could reportedly take place to discuss a potential move for the Arsenal forward.
Napoli’s interest could depend on their ability to offload one of their existing strikers. The club would reportedly need to find new destinations for Lorenzo Lucca, who spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest, or Romelu Lukaku before making a move for Jesus.
Arsenal are reportedly willing to consider offers of around £18 million for the 29-year-old, who has entered the final year of his contract with the Gunners.
Jesus joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022 and could now be heading for a new challenge in Italy if Napoli’s interest develops into a formal transfer.
Sports
Transfer: Liverpool Agree Loan Deal for Barcelona Defender Araujo
Liverpool have reportedly reached an agreement with Barcelona to sign Uruguay international Ronald Araujo on loan.
According to Sky Sports, the deal could be completed this weekend, with the 27-year-old defender set to move to Anfield on a straight loan arrangement.
Araujo renewed his Barcelona contract last year, extending his stay at the Catalan club until 2031.
However, the defender endured a difficult campaign last season and was subsequently granted an extended leave of absence from the team.
The proposed move to Liverpool would give Araujo an opportunity to revive his career in a new league and country.
The Uruguay international joined Barcelona from Uruguayan club Boston River in 2018 before making his first-team breakthrough a year later.
Sports
LaLiga: Mourinho Introduces Four New Rules at Real Madrid
Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has reportedly introduced a series of new rules at the club after identifying what he considered bad habits within the dressing room.
Mourinho returned to the Spanish giants for a second spell this summer and has already begun implementing changes to improve discipline and professionalism within the squad, according to AS.
One of the new measures concerns players’ diets. The Portuguese manager has reportedly ended the freedom for players to eat whatever they choose, with the club’s nutritionist now responsible for overseeing their meals.
Under the new system, menus will be carefully structured and determined according to the nutritional needs of the players.
Mourinho has also introduced a disciplinary measure for players who arrive late to training. Such players will reportedly be required to undergo individual gym sessions.
Another rule concerns injury rehabilitation. Players recovering from injuries will now be expected to complete their rehabilitation at the club’s training ground under the supervision of Real Madrid’s medical and fitness staff rather than working independently with external personnel.
The changes are part of Mourinho’s reported efforts to establish greater discipline and control within the Real Madrid squad following his return to the club.
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