'Does it match?' – Paul Pogba responds to Wayne Rooney for Manchester United's “bad” and “false” claim

Paul Pogba says claims made by Wayne Rooney that he and Jesse Lingard danced in the dressing room after a Manchester United defeat were “bad” and “untrue”.

rooney gave a damning view of the Frenchman's impact on the Red Devils team in a 2021 column for The times.

Rooney wrote: “I remember once, when I came to training at United the day after a defeat, I was still feeling very upset and walked into the dressing room with Michael Carrick.

“We found Jesse and Paul dancing there with the music on. I walked over, turned it off and got the speakers out of the locker room, because that's my way of thinking, that's how I grew up in football.

“Paul and Jesse accepted it, because I was the senior player, but in hindsight, they weren't doing anything wrong, they didn't hurt anyone, and it was just my old-school mentality that kicked in.

“As Fernando River “Players of our generation just have to get used to this generation and what's changed.”

Those comments contributed to a broader narrative around Pogba during his six years at the club before leaving. Juventus in 2022.

Now, responding to the claims, Pogba told Sky Sports: “I want to clarify something because I've been hearing things that Wayne Rooney said once when we lost a game and that Jesse (Lingard) and I were dancing in the dressing room.

“You always need a witness in this, okay. So if anyone can confirm what Wayne Rooney said when you were in the locker room, I'll take it.

“If there isn't, it's bad, it's not true.

“When Jesse Lingard tells you: Did Jesse Lingard confirm it? Never.

“I never confirmed it because I am someone who is a very bad loser and I respect what I do and I respect the club.

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“Me going into the locker room and playing music and Wayne Rooney, the club legend, sitting there not saying anything to us, does that agree? Do you think it matches?

“No one in the club will come and say nothing to us dancing after we lose a game.”

Pogba He spoke to the media just two weeks after his four-year ban from football for doping was completed. reduced to 18 months.

The midfielder will leave Juventus by mutual agreement, allowing him to begin his career when he can officially return to training in January 2025, before returning to action in March.

During his interview with Sky Sports which was made public on Wednesday, accepted responsibility but believes the initial four-year ban, which has now been reduced to 18 months, was harsh.

“Yes, of course (accept responsibility). That means I take responsibility for yes, I took the supplement,” he said.

“I didn't triple check it, let's put it that way, even if it came from a professional. If I have to be punished, I'm fine with it. But it should never be four years.”

When asked why he took the medication, he said: “I would tell you the whole story, but the easiest way is to get you the document.”

“Then you can see for yourself, it explains everything. That's the only thing I would say.”

“Not at all (to do with physical condition), seriously, you have all the answers (in the document), it was just general things. It had nothing to do with the injuries or the document.

“They are like supplements that you would take. You would probably take it, go to the pharmacy and get the supplements. In my case it was totally different because a professional gave it to me for just having a supplement for normal health. But there was a mistake there.”