Paul Pogba's professionalism praised by Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has praised Paul Pogba's professionalism after being dropped for Manchester United's Champions League game against Sevilla on Wednesday.

The French midfielder was a surprise omission from Jose Mourinho's starting line-up for the 0-0 draw, though he did come on as a substitute in the 17th minute to replace the injured Ander Herrera.
That came after Pogba was taken off with United trailing in recent defeats to Tottenham and Newcastle, while he was a late withdrawal through illness against Huddersfield in the FA Cup last weekend.

Tensions have appeared to be mounting between Mourinho and the club's record signing in recent weeks but the United boss offered an olive branch when asked by the media if Pogba is in the right frame of mind to start against Chelsea on Sunday, live on Sky Sports.

"You saw the game against Sevilla," Mourinho said. "It is always more difficult to come from the bench than to start.
"A player when he is starting the game has a different kind of preparation for it and it is easier. To be on the bench and to come on without warming up and get into the pace is not easy. I think he had a very positive game for us.

"And details are details. Sometimes players on the bench take five minutes to be ready to play. They don't have the shinpads or the strapping or the shirt or this or that. He took ten seconds to be ready to come to the pitch.
"He showed his professionalism and that despite being on the bench he was ready to play and to help the team. And he did.
"I think he responded in a very professional way, both times he was on the bench. He was on the bench against Huddersfield in the Premier League and he responded in a professional way. And he was on the bench against Sevilla and he did the same."

Mourinho was also asked Romelu Lukaku's poor scoring record against the top eight sides in the Premier League this season. So far, the Belgian has failed to score in 10 games against Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal, Burnley and Leicester.
In six games against teams in the top six this season, Lukaku has failed to register a shot on target but Mourinho insists he is not concerned about his star striker's record in big games.
When asked why Lukaku has been unable to score for United against any teams in the top eight, Mourinho replied: "I don't know but I am not worried - 21 goals is not bad at all.
"I don't measure the players' performances the same way you do. I have other points of analysis and I am happy with Romelu's performances, even when he doesn't score goals."

United's provisional squad vs Sevilla 'revealed'

Jose Mourinho has claimed that he does not know if Paul Pogba will be fit and does not think Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones, Marouane Fellaini and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will have ‘any chance’.

I didn’t rest anyone other than [David] De Gea, he stressed. “Can we recover some of them for Wednesday? I think [Marcus] Rashford, [Ander] Herrera, [Antonio] Valencia have a chance.
Paul Pogba? I don’t know. [Marcos] Rojo, [Phil] Jones, [Marouane] Fellaini, Zlatan [Ibrahimovic], I don’t think they have any chance.

So here is a look at a possible travelling squad ahead of the squad flying out later today:

• David de Gea
• Sergio Romero
• Joel Pereira
• Ashley Young
• Luke Shaw
• Matteo Darmian
• Victor Lindelof
• Chris Smalling
• Eric Bailly
• Antonio Valencia
• Michael Carrick
• Scott McTominay
• Nemanja Matic
• Paul Pogba*
• Ander Herrera
• Jesse Lingard
• Juan Mata
• Alexis Sanchez
• Anthony Martial
• Marcus Rashford
• Romelu Lukaku

Manchester United well equipped to win Champions League, says Ashley Young

 

Ashley Young says United are capable of winning the Champions League 

 

Manchester United's solid defence and attacking options make Ashley Young believe Champions League glory is realistic this season.

For the first time since 2013-14, the three-time European champions are back in the knockout phase of the continent's top competition.

 Wednesday sees Jose Mourinho's side take on Sevilla in the first leg of the last-16 clash, yet there is already half an eye on the Kiev finale this May.

Having lifted the Europa League last year, Young sees no reason why United cannot challenge for the Champions League this time.
"Of course (we can win the Champions League)," he said.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has dismissed speculation his relationship with Paul Pogba has broken down, saying the reports are 'lies'.

"You don't enter a competition not to win it. That's what we will be looking to do and take each game as it comes.
"The next one is against Sevilla. That's a tough away game like Huddersfield, like Newcastle away. That's what the stadium is like. We just have to concentrate on ourselves."
Saturday's 2-0 FA Cup fifth-round victory at Huddersfield was a welcome boost for United following the surprise Premier League defeat at Newcastle the previous week.

Jonjo Shelvey and Juan Mata clash in Newcastle's surprise win at St James' Park

Young, who played at right-back on Saturday, felt United's latest clean sheet was particularly sweet after the defence came in for criticism after the 1-0 loss at St James' Park.
"I think a lot has been said about defenders and what not - a lot was said last week - and it's one of those things. Everyone's entitled to their opinion," Young said.
"Keep getting clean sheets and hopefully we can chip in with goals as well as the front boys."


Romelu Lukaku scored twice in the win against Huddersfield and Young believes the Belgian's partnership with January signing Alexis Sanchez will blossom.
"You can see the combinations between them," he said.
"Alexis comes inside, and Rom's seen him and picked him up as well and they're picking each other out and they have worked well together so far."

Early United team news for Sevilla clash

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has revealed he is dealing with a number of injury issues ahead of the Champions League tie at Sevilla.
The manager made changes to his squad for the Emirates FA Cup win at Huddersfield Town on Saturday but says it was not down to resting players.
"I didn’t rest anyone other than [David] De Gea," he stressed. "Can we recover some of them for Wednesday? I think [Marcus] Rashford, [Ander] Herrera, [Antonio] Valencia have a chance.
"Paul Pogba? I don’t know. [Marcos] Rojo, [Phil] Jones, [Marouane] Fellaini, Zlatan [Ibrahimovic], I don’t think they have any chance."
The news that Rojo and Jones are injured means Eric Bailly's return to fitness – he came on as a substitute in the dying embers of the clash at the John Smith's Stadium at the weekend – has been a timely one.
Rashford and Herrera have missed the last couple of games but Valencia featured in the last Premier League outing, at Newcastle United.
Jose is likely to provide further team news in Seville on Tuesday when previewing the round-of-16 tie.