Paul Pogba added fuel to rumours of his deteriorating relationship with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, saying he could not express himself for fear of being fined.

The 25-year-old – who scored a superb goal in France’s 4-2 victory over Croatia in the World Cup final – was credited with a ‘monster performance’ by Mourinho in United’s opening 2-1 Premier League win over Leicester City on Friday.

However, Pogba – who cost United a then-world record £89 million ($116 million) in 2016 to prise him away from Juventus – is known to be upset by Mourinho’s remarks about his performances at the World Cup compared to those for his club last season.

Mourinho had implied Pogba – whose agent Mini Raiola has reportedly been talking with Barcelona – had flourished under Didier Deschamps at the World Cup because he could not be distracted by his entourage or by his commercial obligations.

“There are things and there are things that I cannot say otherwise I will get fined,”Pogba told the British press after the Leicester match.