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Paul Pogba left OUT of Man Utd matchday squad after Mourinho's 'captain' decision
PAUL POGBA has been left out of Manchester United’s matchday squad for their Carabao Cup tie with Derby.
News of the midfielder being left out of the squad was first reported by Manchester-based journalist Jonathan Shrager.
“Pogba hasn’t arrived with #MUFC team and isn’t in matchday squad,” he tweeted.
MAN UTD vs DERBY: LIVE CARABAO CUP UPDATES!
Pogba’s omission from the squad comes hours after it was claimed that United boss Jose Mourinho has ruled out the France international ever captaining the club again.
‘The Special One’ allegedly informed the 25-year-old’s team-mates of his decision earlier today, a choice which is said to have been well received by his troops.
“Jose told the players that Pogba will not be the captain because he doesn’t represent what a captain is and Manchester United is bigger than anyone," a Carrington source is said to have told the Daily Star.
“The players were happy with that decision and the reasons behind the manager’s decision.”
Mourinho's alleged decision to never hand Pogba the captain's armband again came a few days after the Frenchman was critical of his tactics in their 1-1 draw with Wolves.
“When we are at home we should attack, attack, attack. That’s Old Trafford,” the World Cup winner said.
Jose told the players that Pogba will not be the captain because he doesn’t represent what a captain is and Manchester United is bigger than anyone
“We are at home and we should play much better against Wolves. We are here to attack.
"I think teams are scared when they see Manchester United attacking and attacking. That was our mistake.
“Maybe the attitude should be better and we should play better because, again, we are at Old Trafford and we should just attack and press like we did against Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal last season.
“When we play like this it’s easier for us.”
When asked what was stopping the team from playing attractive football for the fans, Pogba added: “I can’t tell you because I’m a player. It’s not me.
“I’m not the manager, I cannot, like, say that, but obviously we should show more options of playing.
“But I cannot say that, because I’m a player. That’s my way of thinking – we should move better. We should move more, yeah.”
Manchester United starting XI to face Derby County: Romero, Young (C), Bailly, Jones, Dalot, Herrera, Matic, Lingard, Mata, Lukaku, Martial
Subs: Sanchez, Smalling, Grant, Fred, Fellaini, Darmian, McTominay
Derby County starting XI to face Manchester United: Carson, Forsyth, Bryson, Tomori, Keogh, Wilson, Mount, Johnson, Bennett, Nugent, Bogle
Subs: Roos, Wisdom, Waghorn, Jozefzoon, Marriott, Huddlestone, Malone