The FC crew assess the seemingly deteriorating state of the relationship between Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba. Will Alexis Sanchez be the key to Manchester United's success this season? The ESPN FC guys weigh in. With reports that Zinedine Zidane is interested in the Man United job, the FC panel assess how he'd fit in should Jose Mourinho abdicate his position as manager. The FC crew choose who they would keep between Paul Pogba and Jose Mourinho.
MANCHESTER -- Jose Mourinho says he "doesn't care" about Paul Pogba's comments following the win over Leicester, with the Manchester United manager insisting he has "never been so happy" with the midfielder.
Pogba hinted at unrest between himself and Mourinho by saying he could be fined if he said what he wanted. It has led to speculation the pair's relationship has broken down but speaking at a news conference at the club's Carrington training ground on Friday, Mourinho sought to build up the France international, confirming he will captain the side against Brighton on Sunday in the absence of full-time skipper Antonio Valencia.
"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," Mourinho said at a news conference on Friday.
"I cannot demand more from him. I don't care [about what he said after Leicester]. I repeat, I want him to play well, I want him to play for the team, the fans, and that is what it is."
"When he says he did it for the fans and for the team is exactly what I want, is exactly what I demand from my players.
"He's working well, playing well, he does it 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."
Mourinho was then asked specifically about Pogba's comments following the win over Leicester, during which the 25-year-old put in a man-of-the-match display and scored an early penalty.
"I don't care," Mourinho said. "I repeat, I want him to play well, I want him to play for the team, the fans, and that is what it is.
"He's working extremely well here but I have to say in his defence, write what you want about him, write what you want about me but please don't say lies.
"Don't put him in a situation that people can think he's not a polite, educated guy. He is.
"He never had a fight with me. We never had a heated or a change of words, everything is respected, I have no problems at all."
Pushed further about what Pogba might have meant by his suggestion he could be fined, Mourinho revealed the only player he has disciplined during his two years at Old Trafford is Anthony Martial after the forward missed eight days of training following his departure from the summer tour of the U.S. to attend the birth of his son in Paris.
"You have to ask Paul [what he meant]," Mourinho added. "I'm here for two years and a couple of months and the only player that was fined was Anthony Martial, so it is not easy to be fined here.
"You have to ask him [Pogba]. I'm not going to ask him.
"I want him to work the way he is doing and play the way he is doing and that's all that matters."
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Source: espn.co.uk