BOXING CLEVER
Mourinho: Pogba is NOT just someone who can only play between penalty areas
JOSE MOURINHO has mocked pundits who called Paul Pogba a “box-to-box” midfielder – then claimed the Manchester United star should not have to defend.
Former United duo Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs waded into the debate over Pogba’s best position, which left the Old Trafford boss laughing at their assessments.
Rooney hailed Pogba as a “classic box-to-box player”, and one who “if he doesn’t have to think too much about his defensive role, can cause mayhem”.
Giggs echoed Rooney when he said of Pogba: “I don’t think he’s as effective when he’s having to do more defensive work in central areas.”
But Mourinho, set to recall Pogba, 24, for tomorrow’s trip to Newcastle, after dropping him last weekend, said he was left confused by former players’ opinions.
“I had a few laughs over the past week,” said Mourinho (right). “I understand English enough to understand what I want to say with ‘box-to-box’.
“It means you have to defend well in this box and must have the physical condition, desire, intensity and stamina to go to the other box. And, in the other box, you have to be good – scoring, creating, heading.
“When your team loses the ball, you have to go to the other box, so this week I was confused when people say ‘box to-box’ is to play free of defensive duties.
“That’s not ‘box-to-box’. That’s someone who doesn’t move from ‘box-to-box’. It depends on the tactical system the team plays. You can play with two, with one, with three.
“But he will always be a midfield player. It doesn’t matter the tactical system the team plays, Paul is a midfield player.
“And, as a midfield player, it’s difficult to find one with more potential than Paul has because he has everything.”
Mourinho also confirmed defender Luke Shaw will be handed a new contract, as revealed by Mirror Sport earlier this week (below).
“He’s been free of minor injuries for a few months – which sometimes stops the evolution – and I’m really happy,” added Mourinho.
“The consequence is that he will have his contract and will be a United player for years.”