DALE DREAMING
HILL CAN’T WAIT FOR SPURS CUP CLASH /PAGE 44
JOSE Mourinho has insisted Paul Pogba played in his preferred position in United’s defeat at Newcastle last week.
Mourinho selected Nemanja Matic and Pogba as the only recognisable central midfielders, with Jesse Lingard, Alexis Sanchez and Anthony Martial behind striker Romelu Lukaku.
Some United supporters felt Pogba played in the same 4-2-3-1 formation Mourinho appeared to use for the defeat to Tottenham last month, but the United boss claimed his side were set up in a 4-3-3 formation at St James’ Park.
“The position is quite ridiculous to speak about it,” Mourinho said.
“I don’t want to be nasty with other countries’ punditry industry because there are obviously very good pundits in other countries, but I think we have here the biggest pundit industry because there are hundreds of them and the majority of them with great background and knowledge in football and I would like somebody to tell me in which position you think Pogba played in against Newcastle.”
Mourinho then challenged the assembled media to tell him where Pogba played, to which one reporter replied ‘midfield’.
“Any one of you want to tell me?” Mourinho asked.
“Midfield? We play with Matic as a six, Lingard on the right side of Matic and Pogba on the left side.
“You know which is the Pogba preferred system? 4-3-3.
“Do you know Pogba’s favourite position in the 4-3-3? Eight on the left.
“So it’s easy and honest and objective to say Paul didn’t play well against Newcastle, but some of the guys, they are paid millions, don’t let people read things that are not true, you Paul Pogba are paid to read the game and explain to people the game, don’t say b ****** t.”
The Old Trafford manager also branded stories about a strained relationship with the French midfielder as ‘lies’.
“I think you are nice with your words because when you say ‘a lot of speculation’ (regarding Pogba) you should say a lot of lies,” the Portuguese said.
“A big lie that our relationship is not good, a big lie that we don’t communicate, a big lie that we don’t agree with his positions and his involvement in the dynamic of the team.”
United special: Pages 45-47