Patrick Rees
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has given an update of Paul Pogba’s illness after confirming that he is not sure whether the Frenchman will be match-fit to face Sevilla in United’s first leg of the round of 16 of UEFA Champions League on Wednesday.
Pogba has failed to complete full 90 minutes in his last three appearances for the club and was surprisingly substituted in United’s 1-0 defeat against Newcastle United in the Premier League. The Frenchman came under heavy criticism after a poor showing against Tottenham at Wembley which ended in a 2-0 defeat.
Speaking during his post-match press conference, Mourinho was asked about Paul Pogba’s condition and whether the Frenchman will be available for the Sevilla fixture, and the gaffer replied,
“I don’t know. Now is the time to think about Paul, to know what happened, why he didn’t feel good enough to play, can he play or be available to help us on Wednesday.”
Mourinho further explained that he planned the 4-3-3 formation against Huddersfield keeping Pogba in mind but his absence meant the Portuguese had to introduce club captain Michael Carrick into the line, which forced him to play Matic on the left-hand side of the midfield which is not his favoured position.
“Yesterday he was working normally with us. We prepared for the game, we gave the last touches in the tactical play, we gave the last touches on the set-plays and I told the players the team,” Mourinho was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail.
“He was in the team but this morning he was not feeling right to play. Then I have to prepare a new team. So he’s ill and now we have to wait to see what is going on.
“Just as curiosity, it was Michael Carrick who replaced Paul. Paul was going to play on the left side as a number eight in a 4-3-3,” the United boss added.
“Then when the doctor told me Paul was not feeling good to play. We moved [Nemanja] Matic to the left which is not his favourite position and Michael to his traditional number six.”
I am sure there is no rift going on behind the scenes as Mourinho is wise enough to know the value of a player like Paul Pogba. The Frenchman should come back to fitness soon as his presence on the field would massively lift our performances.
