Last week, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho took the decision to relieve Paul Pogba of his vice-captain duties. There wasn’t really an explanation given by the manager. Instead, it felt like a pure power play from the man from Portugal.
Since that moment, United haven’t won a game. In fact, they were dumped out of the Carabao Cup in poor fashion, before getting outclassed by West Ham United over the weekend. Pogba was awful during the clash at the London Stadium.
Now, his national team manager, Didier Deschamps, has come out in support of the 25-year-old. His compatriot has claimed that Pogba has always been a leader, before adding that he always performed on the pitch, too…
“He has taken many things upon himself. He has been a leader,” Deschamps said, per The Guardian.
“Each time he had to talk and express himself it was always very positive. It’s the words he uses and the atmosphere and feeling that comes across. He is not the only one but he is one of the leaders who took it upon himself because the group needed it. On the pitch he did what needed to be done as well.”
Pogba was inspirational during the World Cup. I vaguely remember him giving an outstanding speech before the final whistle, was always being a motivational character in the heat of battle.
My question to that is why doesn’t he do that more often for United? Perhaps he feels less comfortable being vocal under Mourinho? Or he’s just struggling to adapt to the English style of play – and that is having a negative effect on the rest of his game.
Whatever the issue, he better work it out quick. The fans are beginning to turn on him. Obviously, Mourinho is copping for his fair share of stick, too. If I had it my way, both would be out of the door as soon as possible. They’re the root of the toxicity that is currently around Old Trafford right now.
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