Football news - 'Paul Pogba will not be vice-captain anymore' - Jose Mourinho

Updated 26/09/2018 at 06:43 GMT

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho revealed he had stripped midfielder Paul Pogba of his vice-captain's role at the club after the shock defeat to Derby.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba in the stands

Image credit: Getty Images

Mourinho claimed that there was no rift between him and the France midfielder, but his decision to take the leadership role away from him perhaps suggests otherwise.

The United boss' strident quotes followed his side's stunning Carabao Cup defeat to Derby County on penalties.

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He said:

The only truth is that I made the decision that Paul will not be a second (vice) captain anymore.

"But no fallout, no problems at all. The same person that decides Paul is not second captain anymore is exactly the same person that decides Paul was second captain - myself.

"I am the manager, I can make these decisions. No fallout, no problems at all just one decision that I don’t have to explain."

Mourinho declined to give a specific reason for his latest decision in what has developed into an ongoing spat between him and the 25-year-old.

Pogba had been United's stand-in captain for three games when regular skipper Antonio Valencia was missing and Ashley Young was named captain for the Derby game at Old Trafford.

Back in August, Pogba said that he feared he would be fined if he spoke about his feelings at United and was then critical of United's tactics in Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to Wolves, saying the team should be more attack-minded when playing at home in the Premier League.

He said:

We are at home and we should play much better against Wolves. When we are at home we should attack, attack, attack. That's Old Trafford. We are here to attack. I think teams are scared when they see Man United attacking and attacking. That was our mistake.

When pressed on why they did not attack, he added: "I can't tell you because I'm a player. It's not me."

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