Unhappy Mourinho ready to sell Pogba
LONDON: Jose Mourinho is ready to let Paul Pogba leave Manchester United in a sensational move this summer.
Mourinho has run out of patience with the club’s record signing and has included Pogba on a list of players who can be sold as he attempts to close the gap on new champions Manchester City.
The prospect of Pogba leaving Old Trafford two years after returning to the club for £89 million (RM496 million) has moved a step closer since Pep Guardiola revealed 11 days ago that the player was offered to City in January.
Pogba’s relationship with Mourinho has deteriorated rapidly this season and the 25year-old was substituted again in Sunday’s home defeat by West Brom.
The Frenchman has been left on the bench or taken off in seven of his last 11 games.
It is not what United envisaged after re-signing their former academy player from Juventus in the summer of 2016, and Old Trafford chief Ed Woodward will be reluctant to part with such a marquee figure so quickly.
But Pogba has struggled to fit into Mourinho’s system at United and has not produced enough performances like his man-ofthe-match display in the Manchester derby.
It’s uncertain whether he will be in the team for Wednesday’s trip to Bournemouth or, more importantly, what is now United’s biggest game of the season against Tottenham in the FA Cup semi-final on Saturday.
Mourinho warned that he will not allow reputations or price tags to cloud his thinking for Wembley after admitting that some players had blown their chance by the dismal showing against West Brom.
“What is the criteria for a manager to choose a team?” said the United manager, who put Pogba on the bench for both legs of the Champions League tie against Sevilla
“I only know one criteria. It’s the way they play. It’s the only way I can select players.
“Or do you want me to go for the price they cost, or their salary, or their beautiful face? The only way is to go with performance.
“If I play a player against Bournemouth and the player is phenomenal, he plays the semifinal. It’s an opportunity for people to play and to try to get a
Pogba subbed after 63 minutes in Manchester United’s defeat at Spurs. Mourinho said: “He worked hard but the game was not for him.”
On the bench for the next game against Huddersfield. Mourinho said: “The intention was not to punish anyone.”
Pogba hauled off after 66 minutes against Newcastle. Mourinho said: “I wanted a better way (in midfield) against a side that was defending in a block.”
‘Lies’. Mourinho’s response to rumours Pogba will leave in the summer.
Mourinho praises Scott McTominay — and aims a dig at Pogba: “He (McTominay) has a normal haircut, no tattoos, no big cars, no big watches, humble kid.”
McTominay starts ahead place in the team for Spurs.
“Some of the guys that played today (against West Brom) don’t have a place in that team.’’ of Pogba with the £89 million (RM496 million) man on the bench against Sevilla in the Champions League last 16.
Mourinho said: “Paul was not feeling one hundred per cent.”
On the bench again as United crash out of the Champions League at home to Sevilla. Mourinho said: “We have different options and we believe Fellaini’s qualities make us stronger.”
On Pogba’s poor form, Mourinho said: “Ask him what he thinks about it. His form is nothing to do with his injury.”
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola drops a bombshell: “Two months ago he (Raiola) offered me Pogba to play with us.”
Pogba told he can leave United as Mourinho has run out of patience with the midfielder.
Pogba is by far the biggest name on a list that also includes Anthony Martial, Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind.