Onus on Jose to get Pogba performing for Conte clash
MANCHESTER: Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is under pressure to show a more daring approach and get the best out of Paul Pogba and Alexis Sanchez for a grudge match against Chelsea’s Antonio Conte on Sunday.
Pogba hasn’t completed 90 minutes in over a month after being dropped by Mourinho for Wednesday’s 0-0 draw at Sevilla in the first leg of United’s Champions League last 16 tie.
Despite avoiding defeat in Spain, thanks in large part to the heroics of goalkeeper David de Gea, Mourinho’s ultra-defensive approach has drawn stinging criticism from pundits and sections of the United support alike.
The Portuguese reacted angrily when quizzed whether the club’s two marquee signings of his reign in Pogba and Sanchez need more creative freedom to perform. Sanchez’s only goal in a United shirt since joining from Arsenal last month came in bundling home the rebound after his penalty had been saved by Huddersfield goalkeeper Jonas Lossl.
Mourinho also has personal pride as well as vital points in the four-way race for three places in next season’s Champions League at stake due to a roaring rift with Conte.
The Italian was first to dabble in the war of words ahead of this weekend, though, as he said he fully expects to see Pogba start on Sunday. “We are talking about a top player, a fantastic player,” said Conte, who coached Pogba at Juventus. “My expectation is to see him on the pitch. If he stays out it will be better.
“Every coach has to find the right way to manage him. Pogba is showing at United he is a top player.”
Just four points separate United in second from Tottenham in fifth, whilst victory for fourthplaced Chelsea will move them level on points with their hosts.
“The run for a place in the Champions League is open, so we must pay great attention,” added Conte. “In this run there are many great teams, and someone will have to stay out of the next Champions League.”
Both sides could also feel the after effects of their Champions League exertions in midweek. Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho play down their war of words ahead of Manchester United's clash against Chelsea:
has clashed numerous times with United manager Mourinho since arriving at
Stamford Bridge.
this season when the United boss said he did not need to "act like a clown" on the touchline, a comment perceived to be aimed at the animated Conte, who responded by claiming Mourinho must have "demenza senile" -- senile dementia.
then appeared to allude to a suspension Conte served in relation to match-fixing, the Italian, responded by accusing his rival of being "fake" and "a little man".
Conte has plenty of options to freshen up his starting XI after leaving strikers Olivier Giroud and Alvaro Morata on the bench to deploy Hazard in an unusual central role.
Willian is likely to keep his place though after scoring and also hitting the woodwork twice against the Catalan giants.
both of us said things. For me, it's OK. I'm not interested to speak about this topic," said Conte.
to speak about it. I told you before I'm not going to speak about it. Not at all. Very good manager, fantastic team and that's what is important for me. Just that," said Mourinho.