Pogba pleases boss Mourinho
Mourinho: I cannot demand more from him, I cannot ask more from him
Jose Mourinho has claimed to be enjoying his strongest ever working relationship with Paul Pogba, with the Manchester United manager praising the France midfielder for his application since returning from the World Cup — pointing in particular to last Friday’s display against Leicester City.
Pogba continues to be an issue for Mourinho following the 25-year-old’s comments after that 2-1 win over the Foxes when he claimed he would be fined for “saying certain things”. Compounded by Barcelona’s rejected bid for him and Mourinho’s assertion that Pogba must treat each match for United with the same intensity as those he played for his country at Russia 2018 the pair have been reported to have a difficult relationship.
Yet Mourinho struck the opposite tone. “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,” Mourinho said. “I cannot demand more from him, I cannot ask more from him, he came here on a Monday [last week], 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 [than I hoped] and for more time than we could expect [before being substituted]. When he says he did it for the fans and for the team that is exactly what I want, exactly what I demand from my players. He’s working well, playing well, he does it for the fans, he does it for the team and that’s what I want, to play for the team and I couldn’t be happier than what I am.”
In Antonio Valencia’s continued absence Pogba will retain the armband for Sunday’s trip to Brighton & Hove Albion for the 4pm fixture.