Prove to me I can trust you, Pogba

JOSE MOURINHO has called on Paul Pogba to prove he can be trusted.

Pogba has been on the bench for Manchester United’s last two games but will start tonight’s Champions League tie against Valencia, though it is effectively a dead rubber.

Right now Mourinho does not trust Pogba to deliver in the big games, which is why the France World Cup hero is set to return to the bench for Sunday’s visit to Liverpool.

Mourinho refused to offer an explanation as to why he had been unable to get the best out of Pogba this term, the inference being the fault lies with the player.

In fact, he took umbrage at the suggestion he was in some way culpable for the midfielder’s form.

“I don’t think your question goes in the direction of what I want to answer or listen to,” said Mourinho.

“I don’t like your question. You can put the question from another direction, but I don’t like it.”

Asked what he was looking for from Pogba tonight, Mourinho said: “I’m looking for him to play well and have a good impact in the game and a good impact on the team, a team with some players that aren’t playing a lot.

“So I hope people like Paul and a couple of others not normally in the team can have a good impact on the team.”

Mourinho has clashed with Pogba several times this season and clearly feels the midfielder lacks the tactical discipline and work ethic to be relied upon in the big games, despite his undoubted talent.

That is why Mourinho has dropped the 25-year-old, although team-mate Juan Mata backed Pogba to rediscover his best form and force his way back into the side regularly.

“We all have better and worse moments,” said Mata. “Hopefully I can do something to support Paul and show that he will keep showing how good he is.

“Paul is looking forward to giving his best for the team and trying to perform at his best, because we all know that when he does he’s a fantastic midfielder.

“Obviously what I want is that he can play at his best level, because if he plays well the team will improve a lot.”

United have qualified for the last 16 and will need to win tonight, and Juventus to drop points away to Young Boys, to go through as group winners.