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Man Utd news: ‘Toxic’ Jose Mourinho turned fans AGAINST Paul Pogba claims pundit
MANCHESTER UNITED supporters were “waiting to jump on” players such as Paul Pogba under Jose Mourinho and it was the manager’s fault.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praises Pogba after Huddersfield win
That’s the claim of ESPN pundit Steve Nicol.
Pogba has characterised the Red Devils’ improvement post-Mourinho’s sacking, having contributed two goals and two assists in wins over Cardiff and Huddersfield.
The France midfielder had previously endured a fractious relationship with Mourinho and the pair had consistently clashed since the World Cup and his departure last week, the Portuguese coach most recently branding the player a “virus” in the dressing room at the start of December.
Pogba - United’s record buy at £89million - has regularly attracted criticism since his return to Old Trafford from Juventus in 2016 but found himself on the periphery of the team in Mourinho’s final matches.
Having only made him a vice captain earlier this season, stripping the armband from the 25-year-old just weeks later, Pogba was an an unused substitute for a win at home to Fulham and a loss at rivals Liverpool.
But under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Pogba has relished greater freedom and according to reports, executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has labelled the star as a key player to the club’s future.
Pogba was linked with Barcelona in August and there were reports the La Liga giants and Juventus could be readying an approach in January or next summer, though those links have died down since Mourinho was sacked.
And Nicol thinks that Pogba is benefitting from less pressure - insisting that his errors are no longer as frowned upon under Solskjaer as they were under Mourinho.
We’re talking about the players, what about the fans?
The former Liverpool defender told ESPN FC: “It’s funny, I’m watching Paul Pogba against Huddersfield and he did things that he’s been doing the whole season.
“He lost the ball, he tried to dilly on it, tried to be overly physical. There wasn’t one United fan that got on his back in that game when he was doing it.
“So we’re talking about the players, what about the fans? The fans are exactly the same.
“The fans have been turning up with their heads between their legs before a ball has even been kicked, waiting for players to make mistakes, waiting to jump on the players. It’s down to Mourinho.
“We can say there’s some responsibility on the players, yes, but you don’t play the way they’ve done in the two games unless that toxic thing is gone and that is Mourinho.”
Pogba will hope to continue his revival when United face Bournemouth on Sunday (4.30pm) and speaking ahead of that clash, Solskjaer was full of praise for the World Cup winner.
He told his pre-match press conference: “I think Paul’s a top, top player. He’s one of the best top, top players in the world, attacking wise.
“He’s done really well but he’s a big lad, can win headers, tackles, he’s been the same as the others.The attitude has been perfect and that’s key. You should be tired towards the end of every single game.
“He’s been top class and we’re looking to build a team around (him) of course but there are so many quality players.”