Paul Pogba: 'When you’re Mancunian once, you’re Mancunian forever'

Across two separate spells at Old Trafford, the Frenchman has now spent five years in total in the north-west of England

Paul Pogba said he now considers himself an honorary Mancunian (Getty)

Paul Pogba has opened up on his time in Manchester, insisting that “when you’re Mancunian once, you’re Mancunian forever”.

Across two separate spells at Old Trafford the Frenchman has spent five years in total in the north-west of England, and the former Juventus player has said he now considers himself an honorary Mancunian.

“Am I more French or Mancunian? To be honest, I’ve been how many years outside France? I am French but I’m international too,” he told the BBC. “I have the passport and the French ID but the English driving licence.

“I’ve been in the (Manchester United) academy, loving the club – when you’re Mancunian once, you’re Mancunian forever.”

Nonetheless, Pogba’s future in Manchester has been repeatedly called into question this season after failing to consistently deliver.

The 26-year-old has flashed with brilliance at times for manager Jose Mourinho, notably clinching a brace in United’s stunning fightback against rivals Manchester City last month, but also developed a tendency to underwhelm.

Mourinho challenged Pogba over his inconsistent form, insisting in March of this year that the Frenchman must be the one to explain his shortcomings, and dropped the player on multiple occasions throughout the campaign.

Speculation of a fall-out between the two subsequently emerged but, for now, Pogba’s focus remains fixed on helping guide United to domestic and European success.

“It would be nice to win the Champions League and the Premier League,” he told the BBC. “Very nice.

“For a team, you want to win titles, you play to win. You can play the best football and it’s true, we want to play and enjoy football but if you don’t win a title – it’s good for the eyes, it’s good for the eyes – but you don’t win anything.”