Paul Pogba had a plate thrown at him and was backed into a corner by furious fans after snubbing an autograph request.
Cops were called to an Indian restaurant when the Manchester United star’s refusal sparked a frenzied melee.
Onlookers said the supporters accused the $116 million Frenchman, 23, of disrespecting them by refusing to sign his name on a token.
Camera phone footage shows two of the men trying to square up to the $360,000-a-week midfielder as pals and staff desperately try to hold them back.
“The [argument] escalated very quickly and it looked like there was going to be punches thrown,” a witness said. “The lads were furious that Pogba had the nerve to say no to their request for an autograph. But Pogba was enjoying a quiet meal with friends and felt uncomfortable with the attention.
“They were desperately trying to square up to him, and it could easily have turned physical if it weren’t for the staff and their pals holding them back. As the world’s most expensive footballer, he’s an easy target for [guys] trying to show off like that. He dealt with it very well.”
Paul Pogba has plate THROWN at him by angry fans in Manchester restaurant https://t.co/MVRLKNHETs pic.twitter.com/hLbLk1lDSQ
— The Sun Football ⚽ (@TheSunFootball) February 28, 2017
Staff at Akbar’s in Manchester called police after the argument, just after 11:40 p.m. on Monday evening, but officers did not show up after the situation diffused.
The men had been Snapchatting videos of Pogba minding his own business before approaching him for an autograph.
He politely declined, sparking accusations of him being disrespectful to fans who help pay for his mammoth salary.
Pogba has established himself as a key cog in Jose Mourinho’s side since his stunning world record transfer from Italian giants Juventus last summer.
Despite mixed fortunes at times during the season, he has scored seven goals and chipped in four assists in 36 appearances for the Reds – and helped steer them to the League Cup title on Sunday.
“Officers were called to reports of a disturbance in a restaurant in Liverpool Road, Manchester, just after 11:40 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 20,” a Greater Manchester Police spokesman said. “When an officer called back, the line got cut off. When the officer did get through, the people involved in the disturbance had already dispersed. No further complaints were made after that.”
The Sun has approached Akbar’s and United for a comment.
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