Jose Mourinho hits back at Paul Pogba critics and says Manchester United midfielder 'doesn't give a s***'

The United manager claims pundits 'in trouble with their lives and needing every coin to survive' are happy to criticise the world's most expensive player out of envy

Paul Pogba's personality ensures he ignores his critics, says Jose Mourinho (Getty)

Jose Mourinho has fiercely hit back at critics of Paul Pogba following his lacklustre performance in Manchester United’s FA Cup defeat by Chelsea at the start of the week by insisting the midfielder “doesn’t give a s*** to what people say” and accused those questioning his performances of being pundits “in trouble with their lives” needing to express controversial views in order to make a living.

The United manager heavily defended the world’s most expensive player after he faced stinging criticism from a number of pundits following Monday’s 1-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge, with the France international being outplayed by his compatriot and match-winner N’Golo Kante.

Pogba’s performance drew criticism from BBC co-commentator, Martin Keown, and studio pundits Alan Shearer and Phil Neville expressed disappointment in his display as United were knocked out of the FA Cup, failing in their attempt to successfully defend it after last season’s triumph.

Perhaps the harshest criticism came from the BBC’s Phil McNulty, who labelled it “another miserable night” and noted Pogba for his “dreadful performance” before casting doubt on his £89m price tag that United paid Juventus last summer.

But speaking on Wednesday ahead of United’s Europa League last-16 second leg against FC Rostov, Mourinho was in no mood to let Pogba – who turned 24 today – be thrown to the wolves and the Portuguese launched a stern defence of his star midfielder, blaming those who were doubting him for growing “jealous” at the vast sums of money he is earning.

“I feel that the world is losing values and we all know that and envy is coming into certain levels that I am scared about, especially for the next generation if things go in this direction,” Mourinho said.

“It's not his fault that some of the pundits are in trouble with their lives and they need every coin to survive and Paul is a multi-millionaire. It's not his fault.”

The United manager also highlighted Pogba’s rise from growing up on the suburbs of Paris in a family that had three sons all aspiring to play professional football to cater for, and believes that the older generation is dishing out too much criticism because, he believes, “envy is everywhere”.

“He deserves respect, his family deserve respect,” Mourinho added. “He is a kid who comes from a working family, a family with three boys that I'm sure needed a lot of food on that table every day because they are big giants. So I'm sure the mum and dad had to work hard for many years for them.


 Pogba was shown up by Chelsea rival N'Golo Kante (AFP/Getty)
 (AFP/Getty Images)

“A kid who came to Manchester as a teenager who fought for his career here, who wasn't afraid to move and go to another country and look for better conditions.

“A kid who reached the top of the world with his work. Nobody gave him anything. I'm really, really worried with the previous generations because things are going in such a direction that envy is everywhere.

“I'm very happy with Paul, the club is very happy with Paul. A good thing is that because of his personality he doesn't give an "S" to what people say.”