Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho has warned French star, Paul Pogba that no player is bigger than the club.
Mourinho also said Pogba will play this weekend’s Premier League game against West Ham only because the Frenchman’s has shown good attitude in training during the week.
Mourinho had stripped Pogba of his role as vice-captain on Tuesday, and a frosty exchange between the duo was caught on camera during training on Wednesday.
“He’s a player like the others. No player is bigger than the club and, if I’m happy with his work, he plays, if I’m not happy, he doesn’t play,” Express Sports quoted Mourinho as saying.
“I’m happy with his work this week, really happy. On Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday especially because today was not so significant. He trained really well.
“The team needs good players, players with personality to play; he has that and he plays tomorrow.”
When pressed on his relationship with Pogba, Mourinho expressed frustration that television cameras had picked up their training ground conversation.
“It is a good relationship: player and manager,” he said. “I cannot tell you (what was said).
“The training session was open, you had some cameras with some potential to get some of the words. Maybe you have to change the potential if you want to know everything that is said because I’m not going to comment.”
Mourinho insisted that his decision to take the vice-captaincy away from Pogba was not made in the heat of the moment after his outspoken reaction to the draw against Wolves, but after extensive consultation with his staff.
“I explained in detail to the people that have to know in detail, which is the squad and especially Paul.
“I always analyse a player as a player – and when a player is captain, I analyse the player from both the player and captain perspective.
“After weeks of analysing and exchanging opinions with my coaching staff we made the decision Paul is just a player and not a captain.
“The decision was made, I informed the player and the players and when I was asked before the match on Tuesday I confirmed it and now I confirm (it again) and now it is the end of the story.”
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