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? AUG 2016: 4 Paul Pogba says he is 5 ‘really looking forward to working with Mourinho’. Mourinho 5 says Pogba could be ‘heart of club’ for next decade. 2 JAN 2017: Mourinho backs Pogba to 6 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. JAN 2018: Mourinho hooks Pogba after an hour in defeat at Tottenham. The pair have heated touchline debate. 6 MAR 2018: Reports claim 7 Pogba and Mourinho are ‘barely on speaking terms’ and 8 communicate through assistant Rui Faria. Both deny rift. ‘The relationship with Mourinho is very good,’ says Pogba. 9 7JUL 2018: Pogba wins World Cup with France. Mourinho says short tournament meant Pogba could not be distracted. 10