Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has advised rising star Kobbie Mainoo to consider leaving Old Trafford if he feels undervalued, a move that could see the Frenchman play a role in yet another high-profile departure from the club. Pogba, now 33 and attempting to revive his career at Monaco, left United on a free transfer for the second time in 2022. During his second stint, his presence reportedly influenced Donny van de Beek's decision to seek an exit.
Pogba's advice to Mainoo
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Pogba was asked what counsel he would offer the 21-year-old Mainoo. He responded: "He played and he's such a talented, such a talented kid. He's still young. It's difficult. It's really difficult. It's the way how he feels. If he feels that, if he's good with the manager, if the manager really trusts him, because he's going to have all the clubs behind him, this is for sure." Pogba added: "But I don't know about his contract, because if he will be a free agent, it will be a different story, I think. But, you know, a kid like this, you know, that thinks that he can play and other people think that he can play, his managers pushing him, telling him, you can play in this team, why you don't play. That also put this in this kid and he's like, 'Yeah, I should leave.'"
Pogba acknowledged that leaving might not be the right choice given Mainoo's popularity at the club, but he emphasised wanting what is best for the player. Mainoo, who was initially sidelined by former manager Ruben Amorim, has since returned to favour under Michael Carrick and is reportedly close to signing a new five-year contract with improved terms.
Van de Beek's departure
This is not the first time Pogba has been linked to a teammate's exit. Donny van de Beek's former agent, Guido Albers, revealed that Pogba's treatment at United influenced the Dutchman's decision to leave. Albers told Voetbal Primeur: "I saw the disappointment about the way he was treated by Manchester United, and he saw up close what I did to turn the situation around. But from the day he was not allowed to leave Manchester United again, it was final." He added: "He had to compete against Paul Pogba, who reported late to the training camp, said sorry and was allowed to play again – in the place of a boy who was training 10 hours a day for eight weeks to show he was good enough."
Van de Beek's frustrations were compounded by what he perceived as preferential treatment for Pogba, despite the Frenchman's inconsistent attitude. The Dutchman went on loan to Everton and Eintracht Frankfurt before permanently joining Girona in 2024. Mainoo's situation differs as a homegrown talent beloved by fans, but Pogba's comments have stirred debate about the midfielder's future.
