Manchester: Jose Mourinho feels let down by Manchester United, with the manager believing the club should have backed him swiftly and publicly over the Paul Pogba situation and made it clear internally that player power will not be countenanced.
Mourinho feels undermined because this did not happen and is concerned it may be too late to quieten down the noise around the side that these issues have created.
Pogba has twice made public statements which could be interpreted as a veiled criticism of the manager. After the victory over Leicester City on the opening day of the season the midfielder said he feared a fine if he said certain things. He then stated United needed to “attack, attack, attack” at home following a draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola, has also backed his player in public by tweeting the claim of Paul Scholes, the former United midfielder, that there was a “lack of leaders” following the loss at Brighton last month.
It is understood Mourinho believes United should have moved to close down the issue with Pogba by making it clear privately that the player and Raiola should not be allowed to run free and say whatever they wish because it is damaging to the team. The Portuguese also believes a public show of support would have helped.
Mourinho continues to be under pressure following Tuesday night’s home draw with Valencia in the Champions League and again pointed the finger at his players’ failings rather than his own shortcomings after a 0-0 Champions League draw.
Mourinho has now failed to win in four consecutive home matches for the first time in his career following defeat to Tottenham, a draw against newly promoted Wolves and a League Cup exit on penalties to second division Derby.
“We don’t have the technical quality to build from the back,” said Mourinho of United’s often route one football.
“We knew we wouldn’t create 20 chances. Our attacking players aren’t in their best moments of confidence and individual level.”
Former players David Beckham, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville and Nicky Butt were in attendance, while Paul Scholes was scathing of Mourinho even before the match started following a dire 3-1 defeat at West Ham on Saturday.
“I think his mouth is probably out of control and I think he’s embarrassing the club,” said Scholes, who also expressed his surprise that Mourinho is still in charge.