Pogba a future Man U captain: Mourinho
Jan 13, 2017 - 10:46 PM Paul Pogba's charisma and winning mentality makes Jose Mourinho believe the midfielder could one day make a fine Manchester United captain.Four years on from departing without a first-team start to his name, United last summer brought the 23-year-old back to Old Trafford for a world record fee.
The potential $A156 million price tag looked to weigh heavy as Pogba began his second spell at the club, but markedly improved displays have made him key to a nine-match winning run United will look to extend against rivals Liverpool.
The midfielder has thanked Mourinho for letting him "free on the pitch", leading to performances that have suitably impressed the Portuguese manager.
"It is not fair to say a player has to be dominant," the United boss said. "He is playing amazingly well, yes. No doubts about it.
"But the team is also playing well. I am not expecting the team to play really bad and for one player to have all the weight on his shoulders, not Paul, not anyone.
"I expect the team to play well and Paul to be at the level he is playing now regularly."
Pogba's quality on the field is becoming clear, while his character off it is easy to see thanks to his various social media channels.
Charismatic, confident and committed, Mourinho believes the midfielder has the attributes to follow in the footsteps of Sir Bobby Charlton, Bryan Robson, Roy Keane and Wayne Rooney and captain United.
"I think he has," Mourinho said. "I think he has the charisma, the ambition, the mentality.
"He is a good professional. Being so young and with so many ingredients, I think he can."
The summer arrivals of Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have helped bring a swagger back to an attack that had often toiled since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement.
United were not only synonymous with entertaining under the Scot but succeeding, usurping Liverpool's record of English league titles.
Ferguson achieved his long-stated goal of knocking the Reds off their "perch" and Mourinho says there is no doubt United are the country's biggest team.
Asked if matches between United and Liverpool are the biggest in the country, he said: "I don't know. I know that Manchester United is the biggest club in this country.
"That I know, you know, everybody knows. I am sorry, it is easy to know.
"I can feel the rivalry is big and, for sure, it is a big match. Around the world, people will look to this match with special eyes, that's for sure."
Mourinho will on Sunday set his side out with a more attack-minded focus than in October's drab 0-0 draw at Anfield and knows a 10th straight win in all competitions will move them within two points of the side that enter the weekend second.
Source: AAP
No one has shouted yet.
Be the first!
Be the first!
Related News
- Lukaku, Zlatan injured in Man Utd draw Dec 30
- City buy backs for strikers' prices: Jose Dec 26
- Mourinho praises United form against Foxes Dec 25
- Keep calm and carry on, Mata tells Man Utd Dec 24
- Mourinho blasts 'childish' United errors Dec 23
- Mourinho rules duo out of festive fixtures Dec 22
- United's Bailly could miss three months Dec 15
- Mourinho asked to explain City comments Dec 14
- Lukaku goal gives lacklustre United win Dec 13
- Ex Man Utd coach sticks it to Mourinho Dec 12
- Pogba confident United can cope with City Dec 6
- United won't appeal against Pogba red card Dec 4