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Man Utd news: Paul Pogba takes fresh swipe at Jose Mourinho as war of words ensues
PAUL POGBA believes Manchester United have ‘more of a structure’ under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer than they did when Jose Mourinho was in charge of the club.
Solskjaer is getting more out of Pogba says journalist
Mourinho was relieved of his duties as manager in December after overseeing United’s worst-ever start to a Premier League season.
Solskjaer was installed as the Portuguese’s successor 24 hours after his dismissal, though he’ll only be in charge until the end of the season.
United have flourished since the Norwegian’s appointment, winning their last six matches on the bounce.
Pogba himself has enjoyed a renaissance under Solskjaer, scoring four goals and picking up four assists in his last five matches.
And the France international has attributed his and the team’s good form to the new practices Solskjaer has implemented during his brief reign at Old Trafford.
"The way we are playing we have more possession of the ball,” the 25-year-old told Sky Sports. “We know more where to attack and where to go.
“We have more of a pattern of play and more of a structure.
"That makes it easier for everyone. So I would not say it is only myself.
We have more of a pattern of play and more of a structure
“Yes, I have scored a few goals and had a few assists but it is all the team [that deserves credit]."
Mourinho appeared to take a swipe at Pogba and his old side on Thursday during an appearance on beIN Sports when asked about player power in the modern game.
He said: “I remember, for example, one day - I think it was when Manchester United sold David Beckham to Real Madrid.
"That day, Sir Alex Ferguson said that the day the player is more important than the club, then goodbye.
"Not anymore. Not anymore. Because there are many things behind (the player) that is difficult to create a situation as linear as this one. So I think the way to do it is for the players to find a certain balance.
"And the balance has to be created in the relationship between the players and the manager. The manager is there to coach them. The manager is not there to keep the discipline at any cost.
"The structure must be made (to do that). The structure must be there to protect the manager and for the players to feel that everything is in place and they are not going to arrive in a situation where they feel more powerful than they used to be."
United’s latest victory of their six-game winning streak was a 1-0 triumph over Tottenham at Wembley.
The hard-fought win over Spurs saw them move level on points with fifth-placed Arsenal, whom they'll play in the FA Cup next Friday.
The match was billed as the first real test of Solskjaer’s time in charge of the Red Devils, which he passed with flying colours.
"It was great for us,” Pogba said of the victory. “It was great to show we are coming back and getting closer to the top.
"We needed points and we showed that we could beat a big team.
Man United are 'strong' under Solskjaer says Paul Pogba
"I wouldn't say [we had] luck because you create your own luck. David did his job and I thank him for that. I think the team performance was great.
“We played against a good team. You cannot say they are not a good team because they have top players.
"It was a great game and it was a good victory for us."
Pogba and his United team-mates will be back in action tomorrow afternoon when they welcome relegation-threatened Brighton to Old Trafford.