Tuesday brought another chapter in the Paul Pogba versus Jose Mourinho rift, the row that Manchester United claims does not exist despite all evidence to the contrary. According to various outlets, Mourinho has informed Pogba that he will not wear the captain’s arm band again.
This latest tiff likely stems from Pogba’s telling the media this past weekend that his side needs to play more attacking football at home, and get away from the more defensive tactics that Mourinho prefers.
Pogba, who made the comments after United played Wolverhampton to a draw, also echoed the sentiments of Mourinho, who found the team’s attitude to be lacking.
The repercussions for this?
A report from The Times states Mourinho told the entire team that Pogba would no longer captain the squad ahead of their League Cup clash with Derby County today. Reportedly, Mourinho addressed the team at the training ground, before dropping Pogba from today’s match day squad entirely. United currently lead Derby 1-0 at halftime.
Pogba has been awarded the captaincy several times this season, mostly on occasions when the regular captain, Antonio Valencia, has been out with injury.
Mourinho also ripped his own team in the program notes for today’s League Cup game with Derby,.
“[The game against Wolves was] an important lesson; a lesson that I repeat week after week after week, a lesson that some boys are not learning,” he said. (transcript BBC)
“Every team that play Manchester United are playing the game of their lives, and we need to match that level of aggression, motivation and desire – 95% isn’t enough when others give 101%.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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