Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has said that he experienced depression after falling out with Jose Mourinho during the Portuguese manager’s time in charge at Old Trafford.
The France player, 29, had a difficult relationship with Mourinho and lost the vice-captaincy in September 2018.
Mourinho was sacked as United manager in December 2018.
“I’ve experienced depression many times in my career, but you don’t talk about it,” he told La Figaro.
“Sometimes, you don’t know you’re depressed, you only want to isolate yourself, be alone, and these are signs that don’t deceive.
“Personally, it started when I was with Jose Mourinho in Manchester. You ask yourself questions, wonder if you’re at fault, because you have never lived moments like these in your life.”
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Pogba re-joined United for a then-world record £89m in 2016, the same summer Mourinho succeeded Louis van Gaal as Red Devils boss.
He helped United win the League Cup and Europa League in 2017 under the former Chelsea boss but their relationship soured at the start of the following season.
Mourinho told Pogba he would never captain the side again under his management, reportedly because of concerns about his attitude, before he was sacked two months later after a run of poor results.
Pogba said that focusing on his family and talking to former players who also experienced depression, including former Manchester United team-mate Patrice Evra, helped him cope.
“I don’t want these negative moments to make me forget all my achievements, but it’s not necessarily easy,” he said.
“And when you can’t do it all alone I talk a lot with ‘Uncle Pat’ [Evra], former players who lived it, because they’ll understand you right away.
“Talking, being listened to, getting out all this anger and depression that gnaws at you, it’s mandatory for me.
“Of course, we earn a lot of money and we can’t complain, really, but it doesn’t stop you from going through these moments.
“Just like everyone in life, some moments are more difficult than others.
“Because you earn money, you should always be happy? That’s not how life is. But, in football, it’s not accepted, even though we’re not superheroes, only human beings.”
Pogba’s Manchester United future is uncertain with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.
The midfielder said that he is unsure of the role he plays in the Red Devils side, unlike with the national team under boss Didier Deschamps.
“The coach [Deschamps] and I get along very well,” said Pogba, who is in a camp with France before friendlies against Ivory Coast and South Africa.
“He gave me a role that I know, but at Manchester United, do I really have a role? I’m asking the question and I don’t know the answer.”
