Manager tries to take pressure off Pogba

Jose Mourinho took the pressure off Paul Pogba ahead of his Manchester United return by saying a huge price tag does not bring extra responsibility.

Even for a player so used to being in the spotlight, the France international may have squirmed at recent scrutiny about his form and happiness at Old Trafford.

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 that this was the kind of stage where the clubrecord signing should prove his worth did not sit well.

“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.”

Mourinho indicated that Pogba is fit to start in Spain after taking a full part in training on the eve of the game, when the United boss took the unusual step to move the open part of the session to show him in competitive action.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind, Marouane Fellaini and Phil Jones remain absent for the last-16 encounter – the final hurdle before Mourinho starts dreaming of Champions League glory.

He said: “Champions League dreams start around the quarterfinals and not yet. In the last 16, it still looks a long way to go.”