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MANCHESTER, England — Jose Mourinho has confirmed Paul Pogba is no longer “second captain” at Manchester United but has denied the pair have fallen out.
Pogba was rested as United were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Derby County on penalties on Tuesday night and afterwards the Portuguese coach confirmed the Frenchman, who has worn the armband three times this season, will no longer be considered for captaincy duties when Antonio Valencia is absent.
Sources told ESPN FC that the news was delivered to Pogba and the rest of the players at United’s Carrington training ground on Tuesday, three days after the Frenchman appeared to blame the Portuguese coach for a lack of attacking football following the 1-1 draw with Wolves on Saturday — a result which left United eight points behind leaders Liverpool after just six games.
“The only truth is that I made the decision of Paul not to be the second captain anymore,” Mourinho told Sky Sports.
“But no fall-out. No problems at all. The same person that decides Paul is not second captain anymore was exactly the same person that decides that Paul was the second captain, myself.
“I am the manager, I can make these decisions, no fall-out at all, no problems at all, just one decision that I don’t have to explain.”
Pogba caused controversy after the opening-day win over Leicester by suggesting he would be fined if he said what he wanted about his situation at United.
Following the 3-2 defeat to Brighton, he admitted his attitude had not been right and after the draw with Wolves questioned why United were unable to produce more attacking football at Old Trafford, while appearing to point the finger at Mourinho.
On Monday, however, Pogba hinted on Twitter that his comments had been misinterpreted to cause “drama.”
Sources have told ESPN FC the midfielder was open to a move away from the club in the summer amid interest from Barcelona.
He has indicated privately he will not look to force a transfer in January but will reassess his options at the end of the season.
Pogba watched from the stands as United exited the Carabao Cup in the third round for the first time since 2007.
Phil Jones missed the crucial penalty in the shootout with the score at 8-7 and Mourinho admitted he was not confident of winning the tie once the centre-back stepped up.
“Somebody has to miss,” said Mourinho.
“Going after the sixth and seventh I knew we would be in trouble with Jones and Eric [Bailly].
“The Carabao Cup is not a worry anymore. We don’t play again until next season. I would lie if I said we threw the match away. I don’t blame a player missing in penalties because I knew if it went in the direction.”
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