Manchester United Transfer News: Paul Pogba Reveals Confrontation with Sir Alex Ferguson Prior to Juventus Move

May 29, 2013 04:59 AM EDT

Paul Pogba did not leave Manchester United in the best of circumstances last summer, with Sir Alex Ferguson making his feelings clearly known about the manner in which the French international signed for Juventus.

There have been several jabs directed by both sides following the move, and Pogba kept up the animosity by revealing his confrontation with Ferguson, before deciding to join the Italian champions.

Pogba admitted Ferguson's decision to bring in Paul Scholes from retirement, instead of giving him an opportunity, was the final straw to his United career, with the 20-year-old now establishing himself in the Juve ranks after an impressive debut season in the Serie A.

"I never disrespected Sir Alex Ferguson, if anything it is the opposite, because I said things to his face," he told France Football.

"When I knew of Paul Scholes' return I understood that I would find it difficult to play and that I had to leave United."

Pogba said Ferguson tried to stop the Frenchman from moving to Juventus by pointing out the racism issues in Italy, but the confidence shown by Juve manager Antonio Conte eventually tilted the balance in the Italian side's favor.

"Ferguson told me that in Italy there is a lot of racism and that the fans were not like the Premier League's. I told him that there was no problem for me so I ended up on the team's fringes.

"My teammates gave me the nickname of Nelson Mandela because I was opposed to Ferguson. But I would say no to Obama too.

"Conte, instead, told me that age is not important and that the best players would play. I want to become the best in the world and win the Ballon d'Or."

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