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Mourinho fires back at Pogba 'lies'

By Daily Sports on February 17, 2018

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has hit back at the “lies” being spread regarding a breakdown in his relationship with Paul Pogba.

Mourinho spent the majority of his Friday press conference ahead of the club's FA Cup fifth-round tie with Huddersfield Town angrily responding to questions over Pogba's future at the club amid speculation of a rift between him and the player.

French publication L’Equipe claimed Pogba, who rejoined United from Juventus for £89.3 million in August 2016, had been unhappy in a more defensive role in the team and said his future lay away from Old Trafford.

Pogba has struggled for form in recent weeks and Mourinho substituted the 24-year-old in two of United's last three matches.

The Portuguese coach has, however, told reporters when quizzed on rumours of a rift: "When you say 'a lot of speculation' you should say a lot of lies. Because I accept and Paul accepts that he has not been playing well in the last few matches. But that's all.

“It is my problem, it is the player's problem. A big lie that our relationship is not good, a big lie that we don't communicate, a big lie that we don't agree with his positions and his involvement in the dynamic of the team

“So, be objective and say what we all know: in the last couple of matches he didn't play well. Period. End of story. Now, it's my problem and Paul's problem to deal with it and try to improve his performance level."

It has been argued that part of the problem for Pogba at present is the confusion regarding his favoured position and how United can bring the best out of him.

That debate is another to have irked Mourinho, with the angry Red Devils boss adding: “I would like you to tell me which position Pogba played in against Newcastle.

“Anyone of you want to tell me? OK, midfield, but did we play with one number six and two number eights, or two sixes and one 10?

“We played with one six and two eights. We played with [Nemanja] Matic as a six, [Jesse] Lingard on the right side of Matic and Pogba on the left side.

“Do you know which is Pogba’s preferred system? Four-three-three. Do you know Pogba’s favourite position in a 4-3-3? Eight on the left, so it’s easy and honest and objective to say Paul didn’t play well against Newcastle, but don’t let people read things that are not true.”

•Photo shows Pogba.

Source Daily Sports

Posted February 17, 2018