Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho never wanted to sign Paul Pogba two years ago.

That's the claim of Mourinho confidant Eladio Parames.

Parames, 69, has known Old Trafford chief Mourinho since he was a child and was the Special One's press officer when he was at Benfica.

Parames says Mourinho was not behind the signing of Pogba from Juventus, who he brackets with Mario Balotelli, the often wild and hot-headed Italy striker the United boss had to handle at Inter Milan.

Parames wrote for Record: “It's no coincidence that both have already been severely criticised by several coaches.

“Of course some will ask whether the person who hired them did not know what their personalities were like.

“Yes is the answer, but sometimes there are reasons beyond sports that lead the clubs, and not always the coaches, to gamble on hiring them.

“Pogba, for example, is worth a lot in the advertising market, so much so that in just six months Manchester United had already recovered what they had invested in him.

“However, without 'terriers' like Matuidi and Kante at his side, he is worth ­virtually nothing on the field.

“Man United did not give Mourinho 'terriers' despite advice given to Woodward last summer.

“And as a result, we had to see Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay acting as central defenders against Southampton.

“And Mourinho had to watch as Pogba became the player who most often lost the ball and was dispossessed, in a single game, in all Premier League matches this season. A great record!"