Premier League roundup
Jose Mourinho may well have allowed himself a wry smile at the tactics: a vitally needed win followed by a grenade being lobbed post-match.
It is something he has been doing for years.
A classic drive-by. Indeed, he did it again himself by pointedly talking about how he should be referred to as a head coach, not a manager, in case there was any doubt – and there was none – at his unhappiness over Manchester United’s summer, pre-season preparations and transfer dealings.
But in 84 minutes of last Friday evening’s opening Premier League fixture against Leicester City before being substituted, and then 19 words after the match, Paul Pogba demonstrated his power at Old Trafford.
Admirably, Pogba had returned to the team after just a couple of training sessions following his post-World Cup break. He was shrewdly awarded the captain’s armband by Mourinho after answering the manager’s call to help, then flamboyantly scored an early penalty and walked off as the man-of-the-match.
Just what United needed. Then Pogba spoke. “There are things I can say and there are things that I cannot say, otherwise I will get fined,” he said without mentioning any names.
So, OK, then, who or what could Pogba be referring to?
Certainly not the United kit man or tea lady or, any of his teammates. They would not have the power to fine him.
And – probably – not the club, as they have made it clear just how highly they value him and will steadfastly resist any attempt from Barcelona to sign him before the transfer window closes on August 31.
Given that United and, significantly, Pogba’s camp have also insisted he is not agitating for a pay rise and a bumper new contract, then he does not appear unhappy with his current deal, which has three years to run.
So, it points – inconclusively and deliberately obliquely, of course – to the manager, because the midfielder has done nothing to upset the FA, which would also have the power to level a financial sanction if he broke one of its rules.
“If you are not happy, you cannot give your best,” Pogba added, while, to reinforce that point, he posted on Instagram: “I’ll always give my best to the fans and my teammates no matter what’s going on. #pogfeelings.”
No matter what is going on? Those “Pogfeelings” appear to have been hurt by someone.
Again, it is deliberately unclear who but, piece-by-piece, the picture appears and it is a pretty bold one.
It is a picture that also shows the confidence Pogba has in his standing at United and his importance to – and status at – the club.
It is hard to believe Mourinho has been left pleased by all of this and it will be interesting to see how he handles it during his media briefings ahead of Sunday’s league match at Brighton
He may just turn it back on the media as more “lies” about his relationship with some players. Or, he may not. – The Daily Telegraph
There are things I can say and there are things that I cannot say