Jose didn’t consider Pogba for midfield trio
JOSE Mourinho claims he never considered starting Paul Pogba against Liverpool because he was happy with the alternative options.
The French World Cup winner started his fourth United game in the last six on the bench at Anfield and was an unused substitute as Mourinho sent on Marouane Fellaini, Anthony Martial and Juan Mata ahead of him.
Pogba squandered an easy chance in United’s midweek Champions League defeat against Valencia and his poor performance in the Mestalla all but confirmed he would not retain his place at Liverpool, where only Romelu Lukaku survived in a team that featured 10 changes.
Even though Mourinho substituted Diogo Dalot at half-time and switched the formation from 5-3-2 to 4-3-3, the United manager chose Fellaini as the Portuguese full-back’s replacement rather than fellow midfielder Pogba.
After United’s 3-1 loss, Mourinho was asked if he had ever considered starting Pogba and explained he was happy with the three central starters.
“No, because I am happy with Matic, Lingard and Herrera,” Mourinho said.
Before the game, Mourinho told Sky: “I made many decisions. Starting with 11 players and leaving some on the bench. I always try to choose what I think is the best for the team.
“I think the team lately with Herrera, Matic and Lingard, the team lost some qualities but at the same time we became more aggressive, more simple and more intense without the ball and that is what I think we need to play a fast team like Liverpool is.”
United travel to Cardiff for their final match before Christmas on Saturday and Pogba could be in line for a first league start since the 2-2 draw with Southampton on December 1. JOSE Mourinho is uncertain whether United will make any signings in the January transfer window.
The United boss has already declared his intention to add to his squad as they attempt to climb the Premier League table and return to the top four.
United ended the summer window without two of Mourinho’s priority targets and he still covets a new centre half, amid interest in Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly, Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld and Milan Skriniar of Inter Milan.
Although United brought in Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal in a swap deal 11 months ago, Mourinho is in the dark over whether United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward will conclude any deals in the New Year.
Mourinho said: “I don’t know if we are going to have any [new] players. I would like to but I don’t know if it is possible or not. Depends on the club. Honestly, I focus on my job.”
Two weeks ago, Mourinho opined: “I don’t think we are going to sign. If we do, I would say one player. I don’t see us going more than that.”
Mourinho said ahead of the January window last year he did not expect to make any reinforcements before Sanchez arrived.
Skriniar, 23, and Alderweireld, 29, are both are yet to sign new contracts. Inter demanded £76million for Skriniar in the close season while Spurs also outpriced United from signing Alderweireld.
Alderweireld is technically appro aching the last six months of his contract, but an additional year is automatically triggered in June.
However, the extension also activates a £25m release clause.