Paul Pogba has been informed today that he will no longer be considered as a candidate to be Manchester United captain, having been handed the role in any game that regular skipper Antonio Valencia has been unavailable for so far this season.
Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho told Pogba of his decision today in front of the entire Manchester United squad.
According to the Telegraph, the decision comes after the France international midfielder publicly criticised his manager’s tactics last weekend when he told reporters that he believes his sides should be allowed to attack more after they slipped to a disappointing 1-1 draw at Old Trafford against newly-promoted Wolves in the Premier League.
This is just the latest episode in the ongoing drama between player and coach, with Pogba and his agent Mina Raiola reportedly trying to force through a move to Barcelona during the summer transfer window, due to concerns over comments Mourinho made about his player following the 25-year-old’s excellent performances at this summers World Cup in Russia.
With the relationship between the pair dominating headlines on an almost daily basis, it looks very much like Old Trafford is not big enough for both Mourinho and £89 million man Pogba, with either or both expected to depart sooner or later.
Due to the fact Mourinho was very publicly not allowed to sign the players he wanted in the summer and United CEO Ed Woodward is loathed to lose Pogba because of his commercial value, it could well be argued that the former Chelsea boss’ position at Old Trafford will become almost untenable if the club’s board remain insistent on keeping their record signing.
