Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Jose to lighten load on Pogba
Scrutiny over form and happiness has been compounded by sickness during a difficult period for the France international.
Mourinho last week admitted Pogba’s form had dropped but angrily dismissed “lies” suggesting a fractured relationship with the midfielder, who would have started Saturday’s FA Cup win at Huddersfield but for illness.
The 24-year-old has recovered in time for tonight’s Champions League last-16 first leg at Sevilla, where suggestions this was the kind of stage where the clubrecord signing should prove his worth did not sit well with the Red Devils’ boss.
“I don’t think it’s fair to speak about the responsibilities of a player,” Mourinho said.
“I don’t even like the fact that the player that cost X millions doesn’t have the same responsibility as the player that cost three times X.
“I think the responsibility is for everyone so I don’t like that kind of approach. I understand for you the media, but not for me.
“When I decide a team to play, I don’t look to the age, I don’t look to the salary, I don’t look to the transfer fee, because I think that’s not also fair.”
Mourinho i ndicated that Pogba is fit to start in Spain after taking a full part in training on the eve of the game.
“When a player is in that competitive situation, it is because the players are normally ready and without problems,” he added.
“So, you could see that in training some people that didn’t play against Huddersfield with problems, like Pogba, (Antonio) Valencia, (Marcus) Rashford, (Ander) Herrera.
“So, I think in an objective way you could look at it.”
The returning outfield quartet travelled with the squad to Andalusia, as did goalkeeper David De Gea after being rested at Huddersfield.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind, Marouane Fellaini and Phil Jones remain absent for the last-16 encounter.
JOSE Mourinho attempted to lighten the load on underperforming Paul Pogba ahead of his Manchester United return by saying his huge price tag does not mean extra responsibility.