Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has shed more light on the ongoing dispute between him and midfielder Paul Pogba, reiterating that ‘no player is bigger than the club’.
The football world was taken aback by video footage showing Mourinho and Pogba locked in a heated discussion during training on Wednesday morning, the day after United had been knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Championship side Derby County.
Pogba was not involved against the Rams and the confrontation was said to have been based around an Instagram post from Pogba during the match.
Earlier on Tuesday, reports emerged that Mourinho had taken the vice-captaincy away from Pogba, something the United boss confirmed after his side’s defeat.
Speaking to reporters (via BBC Sport) ahead of the Red Devils’ Premier League clash with West Ham, Mourinho played down the incident and revealed that Pogba will start against Manuel Pellegrini’s side.
“Tomorrow he (Pogba) plays. He is a player like the others,” Mourinho said.
“No player is bigger than the club. If I am happy with his work he plays, if I am not he doesn’t play. I am really happy with his work this week. He trained really well. The team needs good players. He is a good player.
“Manchester United is bigger than anyone. I have to defend that.”
One reporter suggested that Mourinho didn’t need to have Wednesdays’ training ground ‘confrontation’ with Pogba whilst cameras were present, to which he responded: “I don’t care about the cameras. What confrontation? It’s not a confrontation.
“Nobody trained better than Paul Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. Some trained as well as, nobody better.
“You made a story – an incredible story – out of 15 minutes of training.
“Conversations with players I have many, many, many times. It was not the case but loud criticism, loud instruction happens every day.”
United boss remains coy on Pogba vice-captaincy decision
A fascinating few days at Old Trafford began with Mourinho’s decision to take away Pogba’s responsibility as vice-captain.
The former Juventus man, who led France to World Cup glory this summer, has made several hints this season to suggest that he is not entirely happy with life at United.
In the club’s 1-1 home draw with Wolves last weekend, the midfielder was criticised for losing the ball in the build up to the away side’s equaliser.
Days later, Mourinho told Pogba he would not captain the club again. When asked to explain his decision on Friday, the United boss said: “I explained in detail to the people that have to know, which is the squad and especially Paul.
“After weeks of analysing and changing opinions with my coaching staff, we made the decision that from now Paul is just a player and not a captain.”
United sit seventh in the Premier League table having won just three of their opening Premier League fixtures this season.
The post Mourinho explains Pogba feud stating ‘Manchester United is bigger than anyone’ appeared first on Squawka News.
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