Mourinho reveals the ‘truth’ amid reports of bust up with Paul Pogba
Jose Mourinho has claimed he ‘couldn’t be happier’ with Paul Pogba following rumours of a bust-up between the pair at Manchester United’s training ground.
Pogba was made captain for United’s Premier League opener against Leicester but hinted a rift between him and Mourinho after the 2-1 victory, stating ‘there are things that I cannot say otherwise I will get fined’. Mourinho then reportedly told Pogba to hand in a transfer request if he wishes to leave amid speculation that Barcelona are interested in signing the Frenchman.
However, Mourinho categorically denied that he had an altercation with Pogba at Carrington and revealed that the midfielder will be handed the captain’s armband once again at Brighton tomorrow morning. Asked about the speculation surrounding Pogba, the Portuguese responded: “The truth is we are together for two years and a couple of weeks and I’ve never been so happy with him as I am now, that’s the truth. “I cannot demand more from him, I cannot ask more from him, he came here on a Monday, trained three days, I asked for his support for his contribution in an important match for us when the team had difficulties. “He did it better and for more time than we could expect, when he says he did it for the fans and for the team is exactly what I want and it’s exactly what I demand from my players. “He’s working well, playing well, he does for the fans, he does for the team and that’s what I want, to play for the team and I couldn’t be happier than what I am.” Mourinho insisted that he was not bothered by Pogba’s postmatch comments and praised the France international’s attitude since returning from the World Cup.
Asked about Pogba’s interview after the defeat of Leicester, Mourinho replied: “I don’t care. I repeat: I want him to play well, I want him to play for that team, the fans, and that is what it is. “He’s working extremely well here but I have to say in his defence, write what you want about him, me, please don’t say lies, don’t put him in a situation that people can think he’s not a polite, educated guy, he is. “He never had a fight with me. We never had a harsh exchange of words, everything is respected, I have no problems at all.”
VALENCIA IS STILL CAPTAIN
Mourinho has confirmed Antonio Valencia will assume the captaincy of Manchester United upon his return from injury. The 33-year-old, who has made 235 Premier League appearances for the club since his move from Wigan nine years ago, sustained a calf injury during preseason and his return date has not been specified by Mourinho. Pogba wore the armband during last Friday’s 2-1 win over Leicester City and Mourinho confirmed the World Cup winner will continue to do so until Valencia is ready to make his first team return.
On the captaincy situation at Old Trafford, Mourinho said: “We thought, I think it was before the game against Basel, Pogba is a young guy, with a good personality, made in the academy, normally a starting line-up player, so he has the conditions to be a captain in the future.
“In the continuity of this, with no Antonio (Valencia) in the team, he was the captain and for the next match I don’t think Antonio’s going to play, so he’ll be the captain again.
“But one day when Antonio comes back, Antonio will be the captain again.” Meanwhile, Jesse Lingard and Nemanja Matic have returned to their first team training as they prepare to take on Brighton tomorrow morning.