The Paul Pogba saga took another twist on Tuesday after Jose Mourinho reportedly told the midfielder he will never captain Manchester United again.
Mourinho hit out at the “attitude” of his team after the 1-1 draw with Wolves on Saturday, while Pogba felt United didn’t show enough attacking intent at Old Trafford.
The Frenchman’s comments appeared to be critical of his manager’s approach to the game, and reports claim there was another breakdown in their relationship this week.
Pogba was supposedly stripped of the armband in front of the squad at Carrington ahead of the EFL Cup third-round tie against Derby on Tuesday.
The Portuguese coach used his programme notes to demand more “aggression, motivation and desire” from the Red Devils.
“I hope we can look back on Saturday’s game against Wolves for an important lesson; a lesson that I repeat week after week, a lesson that some boys are not learning,” he wrote.
“Every team that plays Manchester United are playing the game of their lives, and we need to match that level of aggression, motivation and desire – 95 per cent isn’t enough when others give 101 per cent.
“That is how Wolves treated Saturday’s game and I am sure it is how Derby’s players will regard tonight’s match.
“The important thing is always that our players are ready for this and always have the same attitude, whoever the visitors are.”
