No Real Spur for Sanchez
PAUL POGBA and Marcus Rashford occupied the bench last night – but the careers of the two appear to be heading in opposite directions.
While Rashford has been involved in all but three of Manchester United’s 40 games this season, clubrecord £89million midfielder Pogba seems to have lost Jose Mourinho’s trust.
Pogba suffered the indignity of being among the subs for the second time in the last four games for which he has been available, a damning indictment of how he is currently viewed.
The United boss admitted he was struggling for form, but gave every indication, on the eve of the game, the 24-year-old was fit to start having recovered from an illness.
But the fact Pogba was demoted to the bench, although he did come on after 17 minutes to replace Ander Herrera, suggested Mourinho does not currently trust the France star to deliver when it matters. For Rashford, it is a different scenario, despite finding himself among the subs again, having started just two of United’s last eight games for which he was available.
The striker has made 37 appearances for United this season, just one short of Romelu Lukaku, who has made the most, 17 of those have come from the bench.
Some pundits suggested Rashford should consider his future at United, with the 20-year-old unable to command a regular start.
But Mourinho has maintained he has faith in him, pointing to the fact he was involved in every one of his 38 matchday squads this season, until he missed the last two through injury.
With the World Cup on the horizon, Rashford may not be starting as many games as he’d like, but seems to retain the trust of Mourinho, unlike Pogba, who faces an uncertain future. DAVINSON SANCHEZ has pledged his future to Tottenham despite interest from Real Madrid.
The £42milion Colombia defender has impressed since arriving from Ajax in the summer, helping to keep clean sheets in the recent wins over Arsenal and Manchester United.
He has retained his position in the team despite the return to fitness of Toby Alderweireld, heightening interest from the Bernabeu.
But Sanchez, 21, said: “I do not think about money or where it is. Right now at Spurs, I am very good.
“I am playing every three to four days. I am being important in the team.
“As big as Madrid is – no matter how big a team are, that has won what they have won – if the conditions are not favourable for me, I cannot accept.”
Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino has already hailed the impact made by Sanchez, saying: “The conditions he has are amazing. He can be one of the best centre-halves in the world.
“At 21 he has shown he is so brave. He takes risks, but he is not reckless. I think he’s one of the best today, but he has the potential to improve a lot more.”