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Mourinho explains how Pogba reacted to being dropped

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba’s exclusion from Manchester United’s starting XI for the 2-0 win over Huddersfield at Old Trafford on Saturday, has dominated the headlines over recent days.

The Red Devil’s record signing was benched after a poor display in his sides dismal 2-0 defeat to Spurs at Wembley last weekend, and he was benched him in favour of youngster Scott McTominay for Saturday’s Premier League encounter against David Wagner’s Terriers.

Speaking after the game United manager Jose Mourinho revealed how the France international reacted to not being selected when he said:

“The reaction you saw: coming to the pitch with great desire to play,” Mourinho said of Pogba’s response.

“To be honest, at half-time he was already – because I can analyse body language – showing that he was ready.

“Ready with physio, he was already starting his warming up, so I think he showed the way he took it in a very professional way.”

To be fair to Pogba he played well after his 65th minute introduction and definitely looked as if he had a point to prove. The 24-year-old undoubtedly has the potential to become a world-class player, although his lack of tactical awareness against a higher class of opposition than Huddersfield does at times leave United exposed defensively, and is at odds with his Portuguese managers love of defensive solidity.

Mourinho obviously rates him highly after he smashed the then world transfer record to sign him in the summer of 2016, but it does seem that after 18 months at Old Trafford he is still unsure of how best to utilise the midfielders talents – especially when Pogba continues to struggle as part of a midfield two when playing against top-six rivals.