Pogba training ground exchange adds Mour fuel to fire

JOSE Mourinho denied any falling-out with Paul Pogba after stripping him of the Manchester United vice-captaincy, but footage has emerged of a tenselooking discussion between the pair at training yesterday morning.

Pogba was rested by Mourinho for the shock Carabao Cup third-round exit against championship outfit Derby on Tuesday night and watched from the stands as United went down 8-7 on penalties after a 2-2 draw at Old Trafford. Afterwards Mourinho confirmed that Pogba was no longer a United vice-captain although he denied falling out with the World Cup-winning France midfielder.

Sky Sports showed footage of Pogba joining training the morning after, including a seemingly terse exchange between the pair. The 25-year-old shook hands with coach Michael Carrick and another United employee, before looking taken aback by something Mourinho said.

Pogba was then seen having an apparently exasperated discussion with the manager.

Despite being rested for the Derby clash, Pogba remained a hot topic as it was claimed in the build-up that Mourinho had told the World Cup winner that he would not captain United again in front of the squad.

Asked about those reports, Mourinho said: “The only truth is that I made the decision of Paul not to be the second captain any more but no fall-out, no problems at all. The same person that decides that Paul is not the second captain anymore is the same person who decides that Paul was the second captain. I am the manager, I can make these decisions.”