Sports

Manchester United vs Newcastle: Why I changed Paul Pogba’s role – Mourinho

Published

6 years ago

October 7, 2018

Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho, has explained why he changed midfielder, Paul Pogba’s role in the second half against Newcastle United in the Premier League fixture played on Saturday.

Mourinho moved Pogba into a deeper position in the second half after taking off midfielder, Scott McTominay at half-time, with midfielder, Nemanja Matic filling in at centre-back alongside, Chris Smalling.

Mourinho’s tactical switch helped the Red Devils turn a 2-0 deficit, with midfielder, Juan Mata, forwards, Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez getting on the scoresheet as the game ended 3-2 in favour of the home side.

Mourinho, however, said he changed Pogba’s role because he wanted better distribution of the ball from the back.
“Pogba didn’t play centre-back,” Mourinho was quoted by Metro UK as saying at post-match.
“He was playing with Matic in front of [Chris] Smalling because we need some technical quality to bring the ball from the back and the way to have some technical quality to bring the ball from the back was to play Paul and Matic there.”

Mourinho also took time to praise the Old Trafford faithful after chanting his name throughout the evening.
“I’m amazed by that,” Mourinho added. “I’m amazed by that, I don’t want that, if I could tell them please don’t do it I would say that, I think this is not about me is about the football club, the club they love, and about the club we represent with all the honour and dignity.”