No bust-up with Pogba, United boss Mourinho insists

Jose Mourinho has denied having a bust-up with Paul Pogba and insists he is happy with the unsettled Frenchman’s attitude at Manchester United.

United are adamant that Pogba will not be sold to Barcelona even though it’s understood that wants to leave Old Trafford for a second time.

But Mourinho denied that he had been involved in an angry exchange with the 25-year-old midfielder, and praised him for playing against Leicester last week after just four days training.

However, Pogba fuelled concerns that he and Mourinho do not get on by saying that he would be fined if he discussed the issue, despite being made captain and scoring against Leicester.

‘He never had a fight with me,’ said the United manager. ‘We never had a warm (heated) exchange of words, everything is respected, I have no problems at all.

‘Don’t put him in a situation that people can think he’s not a polite, educated guy. He is.

‘The truth is we are together for two years and a couple of weeks and I’ve never been so happy with him as I am now. That’s the truth.

‘I cannot demand more from him, I cannot ask more from him. He came here on a Monday and trained three days. I asked for his support for his contribution in an important match for us when the team had difficulties. He did it better and for more time than we could expect.’

Tottenham Hotspur’s Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen (L) vies with Manchester United’s French midfielder Paul Pogba during the English FA Cup semi-final football match between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium in London, on April 21, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Glyn KIRK /

However, Pogba fuelled concerns that he and Mourinho do not get on by saying that he would be fined if he discussed the issue, despite being made captain and scoring against Leicester.

Asked about the comment, Mourinho said: ‘I don’t care. You have to ask Paul. I’m here for two years and a couple of months, and the only player that was fined was Anthony Martial. So it’s not easy to be fined here, so you have to ask him. I’m not going to ask him. I want him to work the way he is doing and play the way he is doing and that’s all that matters.

‘When he says he did it for the fans and for the team is exactly what I want, is exactly what I demand from my players, he’s working well, playing well, he does for the fans, he does for the team and that’s what I want, to play for the team and I couldn’t be happier than what I am.’

Mourinho confirmed that Pogba will be captain against Brighton on Sunday, although Antonio Valencia will reclaim the armband when he returns from injury.

He added: ‘Young guy but good personality, made in the academy, normally a starting line-up player, he has conditions to be captain in the future. In the continuity of this, he was the captain and he will be the captain again, but when Antonio comes back he will be the captain.’

Manchester United's Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho looks on during the start of a last 16 second leg UEFA Champions League football match between Manchester United and Sevilla at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England on March 13, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFF
Manchester United’s Portuguese manager Jose Mourinho looks on during the start of a last 16 second leg UEFA Champions League football match between Manchester United and Sevilla at Old Trafford in Manchester, northwest England on March 13, 2018. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFF

Jesse Lingard could play at Brighton following a groin problem but Nemanja Matic and Valencia aren’t ready to return yet.

Mourinho also confirmed that Matteo Darmian is set to stay at Old Trafford despite wanting to return to Italy amid interest from Napoli, Juventus and Inter Milan.

‘I don’t think he will go,’ said Mourinho. ‘He cannot have any bad feeling towards us because we opened the door for him in case his desire was to go, but it looks like it’s not going to end in a transfer.

‘For me, it’s good news that Matteo is staying. He’s always an option for us, a reliable player. We know that his performance level is that one. We know he always does a job for the team – right-back, left-back, starting player, on the bench, he always does it. He’s loved in the group by his human nature, too.’

Courtesy- Daily Mail Online

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Manchester United Jose Mourinho Paul pogba Bust up

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