HAVE JOSE AND POGBA ENTERED THE END GAME?
Jose Mourinho’s turbulent relationship with Manchester United’s record signing Paul Pogba took yet another dive yesterday as the £89million World Cup-winning midfielder was an unused substitute the 4-1 victory against Fulham — their highest scoring performance at Old Trafford all season. Here, we chart how their relationship has spiralled and ask: Is there any way back for Pogba and Mourinho?
1 AUG 2016: 4 Paul Pogba says he is ‘really looking forward to working with Mourinho’. Mourinho says Pogba could be ‘heart of club’ for next decade.
2 JAN 2017: Mourinho backs Pogba to be United’s captain one day.
3 JUN 2017: Pogba says Mourinho deserves title as the ‘Special One’ and thanks him for ‘trusting and defending’ him.
8 AUG 2018: Season starts. Pogba tells reporters: ‘There are things that I cannot say otherwise I will get fined.’ Mourinho says he ‘couldn’t be happier’ with Pogba.
9 SEPT 2018: Mourinho strips Pogba of captaincy. Confrontation between the pair in training is captured by cameras.
10 NOV 2018: Reports say Pogba told Juventus he wants to leave United.
11 DEC 2018: Mourinho allegedly calls Pogba ‘a virus’. In his programme notes for Arsenal game, when Pogba is a sub, Mourinho writes ‘there is no space for people not ready to give their all’.
12 YESTERDAY: Pogba benched for Fulham game.
4 SEPT 2017: Mourinho is unhappy that Pogba ignored club advice and flew to Miami to recover from a hamstring injury.
5 JAN 2018: Mourinho hooks Pogba after an hour in defeat at Tottenham. The pair have heated touchline debate.
6 MAR 2018: Reports claim Pogba and Mourinho are ‘barely on speaking terms’ and communicate through assistant Rui Faria. Both deny rift. ‘The relationship with Mourinho is very good,’ says Pogba.
7 JUL 2018: Pogba wins World Cup with France. Mourinho says short tournament meant Pogba could not be distracted.