MOUR NEEDS TRUCE

I THINK it’s fairly obvious that something is not right between Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba.

But what also now seems obvious is that the Manchester United manager is a pragmatist.

He realises that he’ll be in a bad place if Pogba leaves before the end of August. The window is closed in England, so if Barcelona start unsettling the player, as they did with Liverpool and Philippe Coutinho, then Mourinho’s position doesn’t bear thinking about. He knows that. Hence the captaincy and the glowing words about the French midfielder. Mourinho (above, with Pogba) may be many things, but he’s not stupid. He’s a top manager with a great track record and he didn’t get that by accident.

It’s only a guess, but last season it looked at times as if he didn’t really fancy Pogba.

Another hunch is the Old Trafford board have now told him they are not going to sell talented young players any more – and he has to work with Pogba and Anthony Martial.

It is sensible, then, to try to make peace and build on the incredible World Cup Pogba had with France.

Those comments from the player last week about getting fined if he said what he really wants to, you just don’t say that if you get on with the manager. No way.

So, there are problems. But, reading between the lines, Mourinho has offered an olive branch.

Because could United really sell Pogba a second time and see him become a major success at another massive club? Nope. Not a chance.

The fans want him to stay too, and many would rather Mourinho went first, if they were forced to make a choice. So that’s a battle the manager can’t really win.

I don’t see Pogba leaving to go to Barcelona, Real Madrid or PSG.

So making him captain is a clever move and if Mourinho can build a side around him like France did, with the talent in the rest of the side, they can still do well this season.