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Tag: Paul Pogba

  • Why I did not play Pogba against Liverpool – Mourinho

    Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho revealed why he did not consider starting Paul Pogba in United’s loss to Liverpool at Anfield.

    World Cup winner Pogba watched from the bench for the second league match in succession as United slumped to a 3-1 defeat that leaves them 19 points adrift of top spot and 11 shy of fourth-place Chelsea.

    Jurgen Klopp’s side were on top from start to finish and only fleetingly looked like dropping points when Alisson’s error allowed Jesse Lingard to cancel out Sadio Mane’s opener with one of the visitors’ two shots on target.

    Substitute Xherdan Shaqiri later made the dominance count with two deflected finishes as Pogba remained unused even while United floundered in their bid to mount a fightback.

    Asked whether the £89million midfielder was considered for a place in the starting XI, Mourinho said: “No.”

    Pressed as to why, he added: “Because I am happy with Nemanja Matic, Lingard and Ander Herrera.”

  • EPL: Man Utd must get mad to defeat Tottenham – Pogba

    Paul Pogba says Manchester United must stay “mad” to beat Tottenham and atone for Sunday’s Premier League loss at Brighton.

    Captain Pogba admitted United’s travelling fans had every right to be furious about his side’s 3-2 loss at the Amex Stadium, where Glenn Murray, Shane Duffy and Pascal Gross struck for the Seagulls.

    United found the net through Romelu Lukaku and a late Pogba penalty but Chris Hughton’s Brighton were worthy winners.

    Jose Mourinho’s side struggled for urgency and fluency on the south coast, with France star Pogba conceding they face a stern challenge to hit form when hosting Spurs at Old Trafford on August 27.

    “We always play for the shirt and the fans, this is not the result we or they wanted,” Pogba told MUTV.

    “They should be very mad. We should be mad. Everybody is mad. We are mad.

    “The next game we want to change this. We want to be happy at the end of the game, with smiles on their faces and give the fans a nice weekend afterwards.

    “We definitely don’t want to lose two games in a row, so we’re going to have to get ready and play much, much better than [on Sunday].

    “We’re not here just to play games and be in the Premier League, we are here to win, we are Manchester United, and that’s what we do.

    “We want to win trophies, that’s the mentality and the culture of the club. We didn’t do it and we are very disappointed.

    “There’s lots of games still and we have to stay positive, and by staying positive is how we will fight for a good result against Tottenham.”

    Hughton’s Brighton dismantled a curiously lacklustre United, with target man Murray bullying the visiting defence all afternoon.

    The 34-year-old produced a first-time finish for Brighton’s opening goal, his 200th appearance for the club, before defender Duffy tucked home. By the time Gross dispatched his penalty, United were all-but dead and buried before half-time.

    Brighton toppled United 1-0 in May and Pogba insisted it is unacceptable for United to make the same mistakes, especially so soon after their previous Amex Stadium humbling.

    “That’s twice in a row we have lost against them here,” Pogba added.

    “I think that shouldn’t happen. Last year we had almost maybe the same attitude [as Sunday], and it’s not right.

    “Myself first, should have done much better, less mistakes, control more the game.

    “This was a bad performance for all of us. It’s wrong we dropped points.

    “You have to wake up for the next game and definitely not play like we did [against Brighton].”

    Sky Sports

  • Pogba criticises Man Utd attitude in first defeat at Brighton

    Manchester United did not show the right attitude in their surprise Premier League defeat at Brighton, says captain Paul Pogba.

    The Seagulls, who beat Jose Mourinho’s side at the Amex Stadium in May to retain their top-flight status, stunned their visitors by scoring three goals in the first half.

    Glenn Murray flicked in the opener before Shane Duffy stroked home two minutes later.

    Romelu Lukaku halved the deficit 11 minutes before the break, rising unmarked to nod in Luke Shaw’s ball, but Pascal Gross converted a penalty after a foul by Eric Bailly.

    Pogba also scored from the spot – deep in second-half stoppage time – but it was not enough to deny Brighton a famous win.

    “The attitude that we had was not like we wanted to beat them. They had more anger than us and that showed on the pitch,” Pogba told Sky Sports.

    “I put myself first. My attitude wasn’t right enough. We’ll keep trying and keep pushing and obviously it’s a lesson for us.”

    Mourinho said he would not blame individuals, despite admitting his side made “incredible mistakes”.

    The Portuguese has previously singled out players for criticism if he felt they performed below expectations but said his side were not good enough as a collective against Brighton.

    “We were punished by the mistakes we made,” he said. “For me that’s the story of the game.

    “We made incredible mistakes in some crucial moments. Mistakes that killed us.”

    BBC

  • I don’t have problem with Pogba – Jose Mourinho

    Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says he “couldn’t be happier” with Paul Pogba after the France midfielder suggested he was dissatisfied with life at Old Trafford.

    The World Cup winner, 25, fell out of favour last season and this summer has been linked with a move to Barcelona.

    Mourinho said: “He’s playing well, he does for the fans, he does for the team and that’s what I want.

    “I cannot demand more from him, I cannot ask more from him.”

    Pogba started in the season opener against Leicester last Friday, scoring in the 2-1 win.

    The former Juventus player said afterwards: “If you’re not happy, you cannot give your best. There are things I cannot say otherwise I will get fined.”

    But Mourinho said: “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.

    “We never had a hard – I don’t know how you like to say – exchange of words. Everything is respected. I have no problems at all.”

    Meanwhile, the United manager said Italy full-back Matteo Darmian was likely to remain at Old Trafford. The 28-year-old had been given permission to find a new club, and was a tipped for a return to Serie A.

    The Portuguese manager said: “I don’t think he will go. He cannot have any bad feelings towards us, because we opened the door for him in case his desire was to go, but it looks like it’s not going to end in a transfer and for me it is good news.

    “For me it’s good news that Matteo is staying.”

    BBC

  • Man Utd defeat Leicester in Premier League opener

    Man Utd defeat Leicester in Premier League opener

    Manchester United captain Paul Pogba scored the opening goal as the Red Devils beat Leicester in the first game of the Premier League season.

    United had a frustrating summer, unable to sign any centre-backs and with Jose Mourinho looking increasingly irritated, but that did not hinder them too much at Old Trafford as they made a flying start on Friday night.

    They won a penalty in the second minute when Daniel Amartey handled Alexis Sanchez’s deflected shot.

    France midfielder Pogba stepped up and after a slow run-up placed the ball in the top-right corner above Kasper Schmeichel. The World Cup winner had not even expected to start, having only returned to training on Monday.

    Left-back Luke Shaw then scored the first senior goal of his career after controlling Juan Mata’s aerial pass to seal the victory.

    Substitute Jamie Vardy scored a late consolation after Ricardo Perreira’s cross had hit a post, and Foxes goalkeeper Schmeichel came forward for an injury time corner but his header went wide.

    The Foxes had edged the first half following their early setback with debutants James Maddison and Ricardo both forcing saves from David de Gea.

    The second period was a slightly tamer affair before the late goals, although substitute Romelu Lukaku was denied a goal by a good Schmeichel save.

    It was the third season in a row Leicester have conceded the opening goal of the season – having lost to Hull and Arsenal in the first games of the previous two campaigns.

  • France out to rectify Euro 2016 mistakes in World Cup final – Pogba

    France out to rectify Euro 2016 mistakes in World Cup final – Pogba

    France are determined not to make the same mistakes they did two years ago in losing the Euro 2016 final.

    France will take on Croatia for the biggest prize in football, and midfielder Paul Pogba said on Thursday that he wants the team to banish their 2016 devil.

    France face the Croats in the World Cup final at Moscow’s Luzhniki Stadium on Sunday, but they are rejecting the favourites tag which cost them dearly two years ago, he said.

    The French beat Germany in the Euro 2016 semi-final setting up an encounter in Paris against then-underdogs Portugal, who stunned them 1-0 in extra time to win the continental title.

    “We are conscious of the situation, we do not want to make the same mistakes like two years ago.

    “We want to work for it, to give everything we have to take this Cup home,” Pogba told reporters.

    “I think at the Euro we thought it was already a done deal, the mentality was not the same as now.

    “I cannot lie that when we beat Germany we thought that was the final. I know the taste of losing a final. I don’t want it to happen again.

    “Against Portugal we thought we had won it before the start of the game. That will not happen again.”

    France have been improving throughout the tournament and have beat Argentina, Uruguay and Belgium in the knockout rounds without needing extra time or penalties.

    Croatia needed spot kicks to advance against Denmark in the last 16 and against Russia in the quarter-finals.

    “They then came from a goal down against England on Wednesday to win 2-1 in extra time.

    “That is not a sign of a struggling team, according to Pogba, but one that has a lot of talent.

    “The Croats had a very difficult match and they were behind. But they are mentally very strong. There are two teams in the final, a Cup and there are 90 minutes more.

    “For us, we are not the favourites. We stay as we are from the start of the tournament. We have no doubts, we play together, that’s our strength. We are chasing something and will do everything to succeed.”

    France, world champions in 1998 after beating Croatia in the semis, are in their third World Cup final. It is unknown territory for Croatia however.

    “For sure the Croats they want the star (for winning the title) they have had a good run.

    “They want to win. But I have no star either although there is one on my shirt. I want mine.”

    Pogba said while Croatia midfielder Luka Modric was their driving force the French plan would not be limited to stopping the Real Madrid playmaker.

    “The Croats are not just Modric. They have (Mario) Mandzukic, (Ivan) Rakitic and (Ivan) Perisic,” Pogba said.

    “Even their defenders are outstanding players. I don’t think there is a plan just for Modric. The plan is to win the match.”

    Reuters/NAN

  • Pogba will stay at Man Utd – Jose Mourinho

    Pogba will stay at Man Utd – Jose Mourinho

    Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho says he has “a feeling” Paul Pogba will still be at Old Trafford next season.

    French midfielder Pogba, 25, had been linked with a move away from the Premier League this season having fallen out of favour at United.

    Mourinho also said there were players in his squad who are not up to United standards, but who he accepted would not be leaving the club.

    “I think he’s going to be here next season,” Mourinho said of Pogba.

    “That’s my feeling.”

    Pogba – who joined United for a then-world record £89m in August 2016 – has scored six goals in 25 Premier League appearances this season, one more than his tally from the 2016-17 campaign.

    But he has been left out of Mourinho’s starting line-up for several key fixtures this season, including both legs of United’s Champions League last-16 defeat by Sevilla.

    “I can give the guarantee that I don’t want him to leave, that the club doesn’t want to sell him, and I can give you the guarantee that we don’t have any approach from him or his agent or from any club,” Mourinho added.

    “In this moment, for me, he’s staying, yes.”

    ‘I trust some more than others’

    With two games remaining of the Premier League season, United are second, 20 points adrift of champions and neighbours Manchester City.

    Mourinho says his players need to be “more consistent” on the pitch, adding he wanted to see “more quality” at the club next season if they are to narrow the deficit.

    “I trust some more than others that can bridge that gap. Some of the players I am totally convinced are going to make it, some others I have good hopes that they are going to make it, and some others I don’t believe they are going to make it,” he said.

    “Unless there is a perfect squad, where if you buy one goalkeeper you don’t like, you buy another one. You buy a central defender you don’t like, you buy another one. Unless you can do that, you have to keep players you don’t love – when I say love, I say it ‘footballistically’ – and players you don’t totally believe have the level of the squad.

    “If you go to the Premier League managers, I don’t say every one, but I say the majority of them will tell you the same. In my squad, I have some players where I would like to have better than what I have. That’s basic.

    BBC

  • Man Utd: I have no problem with Mourinho – Paul Pogba

    Troubled Man Utd midfielder, Paul Pogba says he has “no problem” with his manager Jose Mourinho and “transfers” are not on his mind.

    Pogba, 25, was left out of the starting line-up for both legs of United’s Champions League last-16 defeat by Sevilla in February and March.

    “He is the coach, he makes the decisions,” Pogba, 25, told French TV channel Canal+. “Me, I am a player. I accept it and I have to respond on the pitch.”

    The French international joined United for a then world record £89m in August 2016 and helped them win the League Cup and Europa League last season.

    He was a regular in the team but has fallen out of favour at times in recent months, with France manager Didier Deschamps saying the midfielder “can’t be happy” with his situation.

    In February, Mourinho described reports that Pogba regretted joining United and wants to leave in the summer as “lies”.

    Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said this month he was offered the chance to buy Pogba in January.

    Pogba said: “Mourinho has made me captain. He gave me the keys, the responsibilities at a great club like Manchester United.

    “For the time being, I am at Manchester United and I am only thinking about the present. We are in the FA Cup final; I have a World Cup to come.

    “Transfers, all that sort of thing, are not on my mind.”

    BBC

  • Man Utd fight back to secure three points at Etihad

    Man Utd fight back to secure three points at Etihad

    Manchester United staged an incredible second-half comeback to beat Manchester City and delay their rivals’ Premier League title celebrations at Etihad Stadium.

    Paul Pogba scored two goals in two minutes to overturn City’s first-half lead before Chris Smalling’s header completed the dramatic turnaround.

    Vincent Kompany had scored a thumping header before Ilkay Gundogan’s sublime skill and precise finish doubled City’s lead.

    But City, who would have been crowned champions with victory, will have to wait as second-placed United narrowed the gap to 13 points ensuring there were no celebrations on derby day.

    City will need to win at Tottenham next Saturday and hope United lose at home to bottom side West Brom the day after to be confirmed as league winners.

    They really should have had it wrapped up on Saturday after a blistering opening period saw them tear United apart and hold a comfortable lead going into the second half.

    They could have had a penalty within five minutes when Ashley Young slipped and appeared to touch the ball away from Raheem Sterling after David Silva had crossed in from the left.

    Bernardo Silva was inches away from poking home shortly afterwards but he failed to get enough on the ball to beat the outstretched leg of David de Gea.

    Kompany then made no mistake when he leapt highest and beat Smalling to head home from a corner and give City a deserved lead, before Gundogan turned away from Smalling in the box to make it 2-0.

    Sterling should have scored twice but he fired both efforts over the bar and Gundogan also had a free header from eight yards out which he squandered – all missed opportunities in the first half.

    City then started the second half in similar fashion as Gundogan clipped the post with a curling effort but Pogba’s quick double interrupted their rhythm and reversed the momentum.

    Smalling, who had been at fault for both goals in the first half, then directed his header past Ederson to round off a tremendous comeback in the 69th minute.

    That was not the end of the drama, though, as substitute Sergio Aguero had a strong claim for a penalty turned down after a challenge by Young – and moments later players from both sides clashed as tensions boiled over.

    De Gea then pulled off a sensational save in the 89th minute to deny Aguero a late equaliser, before Sterling saw the ball ricochet off his hip and almost squeeze in before the keeper palmed it away.

    BBC

  • Manchester City were offered £100m Pogba in January – Guardiola

    Manchester City were offered £100m Pogba in January – Guardiola

    Manchester City were offered the chance to sign Manchester United’s Paul Pogba during the January transfer window, according to Man City manager Pep Guardiola.

    “I said no. We don’t have the money to buy Pogba because he is so expensive,” Guardiola told reporters on Friday as he attacked the conduct of agent Mino Raiola.

    Victory for Pep Guardiola’s side fixture against Manchester United on Saturday, would seal the Spaniard’s first Premier League title after a season of dominance over their rivals

    Guardiola, who stressed he thought Pogba an “incredible player”, also suggested Raiola offered him then United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan shortly before his move to Arsenal in part-exchange for Alexis Sanchez.

    Pogba has endured a troubled season at Old Trafford, and is by no means guaranteed to be in the starting line-up for the Manchester derby.

    He responded to Guardiola’s revelations by posting a picture of himself on his Twitter feed with a hand cupped to his ear during a United training session, captioned “Say what?”

    United manager Jose Mourinho indicated in late March that it was up to Pogba to explain why his form has been so inconsistent in recent months, declaring it was nothing to do with the France midfielder’s early-season injury problems.

    There is no suggestion that United had given their approval for Pogba, signed for a club-record fee of £89 million ($125 million, 102 million euros) from Juventus in 2016 to be offered to City.

    Guardiola’s anger was aimed solely at Raiola, with whom he has had a long-running feud dating back to the days when the Catalan coach was the manager of Barcelona.

    AFP