Pogba defends holiday comment

Manchester - Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba reacted angrily to claims he called his time with Juventus a holiday, stating the Serie A club will always have a special place in his heart.

Pogba has been on the wrong end of a media frenzy over the last week after he was quoted saying: "When I left [Manchester United] I always knew that I would come back. For me, it's just normal. It's like I went on holiday and just came back. Seriously. Nothing really changed. I'm the same person."

Many interpreted that to mean he did not take his time in Italy seriously, but the play-maker insists that is far from the truth and was angry with how his comments had been misrepresented.

"Everything can be distorted," he said. "A few days ago, I was asked how I feel about the city of Manchester and not about clubs.

"One of the reasons why I chose to come to Manchester United is because it's where I spent my childhood and it feels like going back home.

"Juventus is the most important club of my professional career so far. On the other hand, I am wiling to prove more and working for that here.

"I am very grateful and happy for the love, trust and opportunity Juventus gave me. They played a crucial role in making me the player I am today.

"In Juventus I developed and learned and I will always be thankful for that.

"I do not like or accept that my words are wrongly interpreted so let me be clear: Juventus has a special place in my heart, the tifosi, the club and the city," he added. "They made me feel home, always supported me and are fantastic.

"At the same time, Manchester United is my childhood home and the club always had a special place in my heart. I will do my best to be successful here, make my club and fans proud of me and make my dreams come true.

"I am a positive person. Negative things are interpretations of negative people who clearly do not know who I am or what I am made of."

Pogba who became the most expensive footballer in his return to Old Trafford has taken time to adapt to the pace of the Premier League with United languishing in sixth place and struggling to win games.

United manager Jose Mourinho though has admitted that even though his team are on the correct path they seem to be out of the title race already.