‘I’ve never been so happy with him’ – Mourinho praises Pogba

Jose Mourinho has broken his silence on his relationship with French World Cup winner Paul Pogba and insists there has been no disagreement with Manchester United ’ s record signing .
A summer of discontent has seen repeated reports that Pogba wishes to leave the club he joined from Juventus for £ 89 . 3 million two summers ago and move to Barcelona .

They were followed by claims this week that manager and player had exchanged angry words in a heated meeting after comments made by Pogba following last week ’ s opening league fixture against Leicester .

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Having starred , and scored , in United ’ s 2 -1 victory , just four days after returning to pre – season training following his World Cup adventures , Pogba claimed : “ There are things I cannot say otherwise I will get fined . ”

But Mourinho, preparing for Sunday ’ s visit to Brighton , insists that argument never took place .

“ 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 . I cannot demand more from him , ” Mourinho told reporters on Friday.

“ He came here on a Monday , trained three days , I asked for his support for his contribution in an important match for us when the team had difficulties , he did it better and for more time than we could expect.

“ When he says he did it for the fans and for the team , it is exactly what I want . It 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 . ”

Pogba will remain captain for the Brighton game , although Mourinho explained that Antonio Valencia will reclaim the armband when he returns to action following a calf injury .

And the United manager refused to comment about Pogba ’ s post- match outburst .

– ‘ No problems ’ –

“ I don’ t care, ” said Mourinho. “ I repeat : I want him to play well , I want him to play for that team , the fans and that is what it is .

“ He ’ s working extremely well here but I have to say in his defence , 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 exchange of words , everything is respected , I have no problems at all . ”

Mourinho also laughed off suggestions that Pogba would have faced a fine for talking his mind — pointing out that the only United player to have been fined on his watch was Anthony Martial , fined £ 180 , 000 for failing to return to their pre -season USA tour following the birth of his child .

“ You have to ask Paul , ” said Mourinho. “ I ’ m here for two years and a couple of months and the only player that was fined was Anthony Martial , so it ’ s not easy to be fined here .

“ So you have to ask him . 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 . ”

After a strong showing in the World Cup and United ’ s opening fixture , Pogba has set a standard which Mourinho claims he is confident the midfielder will maintain — although he will have no problem if not .

“ I am very confident but if he doesn ’ t that ’ s football , ” said Mourinho. “ If his objective is to play for the team , for the fans , if this is the objective , he has the right for a bad match .

“ Everybody has a bad day and has little ups and downs in the performance level . ”

Mourinho will welcome Jesse Lingard back into his squad against Brighton , after returning from World Cup duty.

( AFP )

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