Man United will back Paul Pogba over Jose Mourinho if Old Trafford war worsens

Posted Thursday, August 23, 2018 by Express.co.uk

Man United will back Paul Pogba over Jose Mourinho if Old Trafford war worsens
Man Utd news: United are ready to back Paul Pogba over Jose Mourinho (Image: GETTY)

MANCHESTER UNITED will back Paul Pogba over Jose Mourinho if the war between the two worsens, according to reports.

Manchester United star Pogba has clashed repeatedly with Mourinho over the last six months, leading to talk of an Old Trafford exit.

It is understood Barcelona are determined to sign the France international and pair him with former Juventus team-mate Arturo Vidal in the middle of the park.

Manchester United, though, insist Pogba is not for sale at any price.

Mourinho has done his best to quell talk of a rift, recently saying: "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, trained three days, I asked for his support for his contribution in an important match for us when the team had difficulties.

"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."

But Sport say that, despite Mourinho's comments, the United star's future remains uncertain.

Barcelona are aware the Red Devils will not let him go while they cannot sign a replacement.

However, they reportedly feel that United will side with Pogba rather than Mourinho if things worsen.

While they back their manager to turn things around, history suggests Mourinho will be gone before the end of the season.

And his departure could be key to keeping Pogba at United.

Meanwhile, former Premier League ace Liam Rosenior claims Pogba must up the ante - but Mourinho's stifling of his midfield general is doing little to help.

Rosenior told Sky Sports: "I was really excited to watch Paul Pogba this year because I saw him at the World Cup for France play with that character.

"I saw him tracking Marouane Fellaini in the box and marking him and doing things that I hadn't seen him do at Manchester United.

"I thought he'd matured at the World Cup, he was being unselfish, he was doing all of the things that people point the finger at him for not doing enough and doing the horrible side of a midfielder's game.

"Then I saw him play on Sunday and it was like he reverted back to the same Paul Pogba of last season, something sublime and something ridiculous and nothing in-between.

"He needs to take responsibility for that himself but a player performs in terms of his environment and if the environment's not right then those things come to the fore."