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Manchester United manager and midfielder in frosty exchange
• United back manager after player stripped of vice-captaincy
Jose Mourinho’s fractured relationship with
Paul Pogba may have been laid bare on Wednesday morning in footage that appears to show them having unhappy words.
The episode was captured by Sky Sports cameras during Manchester United’s training session. In the footage Pogba can be seen high-fiving Michael Carrick, who is now a coach at United, then shaking a non-football staff member’s hand. As he does the latter Mourinho seems to say something that surprises him.
Pogba turns, Mourinho continues to speak to him and as they wander off the conversation continues with the midfielder at one point turning back to United’s manager, spreading his palms in an apparent what-is-this-about gesture before shrugging. He then points at himself as if to say: “Who, me?” At this moment Mourinho can be heard saying what sounds like: “Get out.” United have strongly denied he said that.
The exchange comes after the club’s hierarchy backed Mourinho’s decision to strip Pogba of the vice-captaincy. The player, who has led the side in three games this season, was told about his demotion before Tuesday night’s defeat by Derby County. While this further fractured the relationship between the two, it is understood the executive has no intention of asking Mourinho to reconsider his decision.
Pogba was one of the players rested for the penalty shootout loss at Old Trafford and, while Mourinho later claimed there was no issue between them, the 25-year-old’s long-term future at the club is in serious doubt.
Pogba appeared to question Mourinho’s tactics after United’s 1-1 draw with Wolves at Old Trafford on Saturday when he said that United should “attack, attack, attack” more.
Barcelona had a £45m bid turned down by United in the summer and the Spanish champions may consider a fresh offer in the January window.