JOSE MOURINHO was warned not to sign “big baby” Romelu Lukaku for Manchester United – and told of Paul Pogba’s “selfish” streak.
Ex-Everton chief Steve Walsh had Lukaku at Goodison Park but tipped off Mourinho that he should reconsider buying the striker for 90million.
Walsh has told The Athletic that he gave Mourinho some crucial advice on Lukaku’s behaviour, but the Portuguese still splashed out on the Belgium striker, who he had with him at Chelsea.
And Walsh tipped off the Special One just before he landed Pogba in an 89m deal in 2016.
Walsh told The Athletic: “When Jose signed Romelu Lukaku from Everton, I remember saying to him, ‘You have to be careful with Lukaku. He is a big baby, you know’.
“He said he could handle him. I don’t think he really got Lukaku on-side mentally, which you have to do.”
Walsh was at the heart of Leicester’s shock 2016 Premier League title win, when he worked alongside Claudio Ranieri.
But after being headhunted by the Toffees, this move proved a disaster and he was fired after a year as director of football.
Mourinho was axed last December after failingto get the best out of both big signings.
Lukaku, 26, headed on to Inter Milan in a 73m deal, where he has already struck nine goals in 15 games.
Hinting at Pogba’s selfishness, Walsh said: “That is the case with him and Paul Pogba. They aren’t my type of players.
“They are more about themselves than the team.
“I wouldnt have touched them. Because they are good players doesnt mean you are going to get a good team out of it.”
Pogba is set to leave United in 2020 with Real Madrid and Juventus the two clubs closest linked to the 26-year-old France midfielder.
