Pogba on Mbappé-Giroud tension, reveals latest on Man Utd future
Kylian Mbappé and Olivier Giroud have reportedly had their issues, but Paul Pogba suggested such talk might have been overblown.
Paul Pogba has dismissed rumours of a rift between France team-mates Kylian Mbappe and Olivier Giroud – while also stating he has not yet been offered a new Manchester United contract.
Giroud came off the bench to score a double in France's friendly win over Bulgaria on Tuesday, though he caused a stir in a post-match news conference when he seemed to suggest some irritation at strike partner Mbappé, who failed to pick out the Chelsea forward on several occasions.
Giroud and Mbappé fail to link up
During their time together on the pitch, there was only one pass between Giroud and Mbappé, with the former Arsenal man finding the Paris Saint-Germain star, who did not return the favour on any other occasion.
According to reports, a furious Mbappé wanted to hold a news conference to defend himself after hearing Giroud's comments.
Pogba, however, scotched rumours of any discontent in the squad as France prepare for their Euro 2020 campaign.
"The only tensions are on the back, on the legs. The physiotherapists are there for that," Pogba joked in a news conference.
"Frankly, I'm on the inside, there is nothing, there has always been a very good atmosphere with everyone. We will go directly to the subject – between Olivier and Kyky, there is nothing at all.
"I think that what was said may have been poorly conveyed. Kylian, his qualities, he can score and do a lot of assists, he does it, he plays for the team even though I always tell him that it would be good if he defended a little more!
"There is nothing, nothing has come out, I don't feel any tension, nothing at all."
The reports concerning Mbappé and Giroud were not the only rumours Pogba had to contend with.
Pogba's future at Old Trafford
On Thursday, several reports suggested his club United had started talks over a new deal, with Pogba's current contract expiring in 2022, while there has also been talk of interest from Paris Saint-Germain.
Though he did not confirm if initial talks had started or not, Pogba insisted no offer was on the table.
"Contacts with Paris? I have one year of contract left. Everyone knows that," Pogba said.
"No concrete proposal [from United] yet. I am still at United. My thoughts are about the Euros. I am focused. I have more experience than before, I am focused on the present. I have an agent who takes care of all that."