JOSE’S RASH BLAST
Mourinho raps young United star over his attitude
MARCUS RASHFORD has been reprimanded by Jose Mourinho over his attitude as the Manchester United manager cracks down on his wayward stars.
Sportsmail understands that Mourinho criticised Rashford after United’s Champions League win over Young Boys in Bern last week for failing to complete a proper warm-down.
Rashford was substituted in Switzerland after a below-par display and did not follow the instructions from coaching staff after the game. Mourinho then challenged the 20-year-old striker and warned Rashford that he is not too important to do as he is told.
There have been concerns about Rashford’s attitude at United since he returned from England’s run to the World Cup semi-finals in Russia this summer.
The youngster continues to adjust to fame and the frustration of a limited role under Mourinho.
It got the better of Rashford when he was sent off for a rare show of temper in a clash with experienced defender Phil Bardsley at Burnley earlier this month.
But he is available again to face West Ham tomorrow following a three-match domestic ban.
He was one of several players singled out for criticism in a recent team meeting by Mourinho despite the club having enjoyed three straight wins. United went
Senior players have distanced themselves from Pogba
JOSE MOURINHO must heal a growing rift within his dressing-room that has been exacerbated by his toxic feud with Paul Pogba.
As Manchester United prepare to travel to London to face West Ham tomorrow, Mourinho must restore some harmony to a group of players who are growing increasingly tired of his antics. It will be a test of his debatable man-management skills.
Mourinho’s differences with Pogba have been laid bare this week after the United manager confirmed that the French World Cup winner has been stripped of the vice-captaincy and the two men were involved in a trainingground spat which was captured by television cameras.
There are concerns at United that the ongoing dispute could poison Mourinho’s relationship with other first-team players and bring him into conflict with a young group that is close to Pogba.
Anthony Martial is the most obvious ally among a coterie of unhappy French-speaking players that also includes Eric Bailly.
Martial fell out spectacularly with Mourinho in the summer after leaving the club’s US tour to be at the birth of his baby son in Paris. The French forward wants to leave Old Trafford.
Bailly is no longer a first-choice centre back after the Ivory Coast international angered Mourinho by pulling out of the home game against West Brom in April due to illness.
Club insiders described an uncomfortably tense atmosphere between Mourinho, Pogba and Martial at the Lowry Hotel before United played at Burnley earlier this month.
Indeed, the current feeling of animosity is such that some staff would rather Pogba was not on board when United take a train to London this afternoon.
Andreas Pereira, another player frustrated by his limited opportunities, is understood to have attached himself to the group of Pogba disciples. While United’s record £89million signing usually arrives at training in a black, chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royce, it has not gone unnoticed that Pereira has bought himself a white Bentley. The Brazil international featured on the video posted on social media that has landed Pogba in trouble with Mourinho.
It was still all the talk around Carrington yesterday, although the mood was said to be calm as the Frenchman kept a low profile for once.
In the video, Pereira is laughing and joking with Pogba in a private box at Old Trafford while their team-mates were struggling against Derby in a Carabao Cup tie that saw United eventually go out on penalties.
Luke Shaw was the other person in the video and he continues to have a fragile relationship with Mourinho despite his return to the first team this season.
Shaw is on the periphery of Pogba’s group along with Marcus Rashford, who has grown unhappy with his limited role under the Portuguese coach.
It has emerged that Mourinho reprimanded Rashford for failing to complete a warm-down after he was substituted in last week’s win over Young Boys in Bern.
Three days later, Pogba irritated Mourinho once again by playing loud music on the top deck of the team bus en route to Old Trafford before the draw with Wolves.
Summer signing Fred was the other player cranking up the volume and there are concerns that he, too, may come under the influence of his team-mate.
While footballers playing loud music is nothing new, those who have grown tired of Pogba thought it showed a lack of focus and was symptomatic of his over-the-top, brash behaviour that has become part of daily life around the club.
It was typical of Pogba to turn up for the Derby game in a bright white tracksuit and gold-rimmed glasses as he came into the dressing-room area before the game and at half time.
Although the policy established by Sir Alex Ferguson requiring non-playing members of the squad to turn up in official club clothing has been relaxed, players are still expected to dress conservatively and this is another area in which staff feel Pogba has been setting a bad example.
Some senior players have distanced themselves from the 25-year-old midfielder, mindful that Mourinho is keeping a close eye on them.
Ashley Young, Nemanja Matic and, before he retired and joined the coaching staff, Michael Carrick are among those who have kept their distance from Pogba.
Intriguingly, Romelu Lukaku has also cooled his friendship with a team-mate who played a part in his £75m move to United from Everton last year by joining him on holiday in the US.
Lukaku does not want to be seen to be backing Pogba against Mourinho. The two players remain on good terms but club insiders have noticed they are not as close as before. The other players who have been caught in the middle of Mourinho’s rift with Pogba are growing tired of the behaviour of both men and the toxic atmosphere it has created.
That may explain Mourinho’s determination to assert his authority and bring Pogba down a peg or two this week.
Having accepted that their relationship is now beyond repair, Mourinho wants to re-establish control over the rest of the squad before it is too late.