Two-goal Pogba needs more time – Mourinho
Jose Mourinho believes Paul Pogba requires more time to readjust to English football after the France international scored twice in Manchester United’s 4-1 Europa League win over Fenerbahce.
The world’s most expensive player, who returned to Old Trafford from Juventus in the summer, opened the scoring with a penalty before claiming his second with a long-range strike after Anthony Martial had doubled the lead with another spot-kick.
Jesse Lingard added a fourth early in the second half, prior to a consolation from ex-United forward Robin van Persie.
Speaking about Pogba, Mourinho said: “He needs time. I was in Italy, I know Italian football, I know the characteristics, I know the pace, I know the intensity and to be in Italy for four or five years and then come back to the Premier League I was not expecting (him to adjust) in a click of fingers.
“He needs time, even top players sometimes need time, but I’m happy with the performance (last night) because he gave us what we need.”
Mourinho also insisted Pogba was his side’s designated penalty taker, with captain Wayne Rooney having taken them in the past. “The first penalty taker was Paul. We made that decision and then probably he didn’t want to repeat because it’s a second penalty a couple of minutes later,” Mourinho added.
“And then probably because Martial was the one that had the previous action and Martial also is a good penalty taker, they made that decision, it’s not a problem for me .”
The win put United level on six points with Feyenoord at the top o fGroup A.
“After a defeat in the first match, it is very important for us to make nine points at home and try (for) a few more away so a very important victory,” Mourinho added.
“They came with a good defensive plan and they stopped us for the first period, but then they we had the first two goals, two clear penalties which opened the door for quality.”
Pogba enthused: “It’s a great feeling and a great performance from the team,
“We played very well and scored a lot of goals. We enjoy playing like that and we have to be ready for the big games coming up.”
Lingard added: “It was a solid performance by us.
“The early goal settled us down and gave us the confidence to score a lot more goals, which we did.”
Southampton manager Claude Puel dismissed suggestions that is rotation system was responsible for their “unlucky” 1-0 Group K defeat at Inter Milan.
Antonio Candreva’s exceptional second-half goal secured an important victo- ry for Inter.
Asked if his six changes had disrupted his team, Puel responded: “No. I think if you can play a very good game... We have all the time fresh players to play good football. This is very, very important.
“Not all the players can play good football (if they play every game). It’s important to consider all the players. We want to go for the qualification with all the squad and not just 11 players.”