Mourinho tells Pogba to accept blame for poor performances

Pogba arrives at the Lowry Hotel on Friday ahead of United's clash with Swansea [Photo: Courtesy]

Jose Mourinho has told Paul Pogba to accept the blame for the slump in form that has cost him his Manchester United place.

Pogba, United’s record £89million signing, is facing a third straight game on the bench for Saturday’s visit of Swansea to Old Trafford, following his dramatic loss of form.

Pogba has been told by Mourinho to accept blame for poor performances [Photo: Courtesy]

Mourinho is known to be exasperated with Pogba’s lack of focus, believing the midfielder is more preoccupied with interests off the field than delivering for United on it.

Quizzed on Pogba’s predicament ahead of the game, Mourinho effectively said it was up to the 24-year-old to solve it as he had done all he could as his manager.

“Ask him,” said Mourinho. “Ask him when you get a chance when he thinks about it.”

Pushed on how he can get the best out of Pogba and help the midfielder realise his potential, Mourinho was equally terse with his reply.

“I work,” said the United boss. “It’s the only thing I can do. I cannot do anything else.”

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho [Photo: Courtesy]

Mourinho was even given the chance to put Pogba’s poor form down to the hamstring injury that sidelined him for six weeks earlier this season, but tellingly chose not to.

“It’s nothing to do with his injury,” said Mourinho, effectively throwing Pogba under the bus with regard to the player’s failure to perform. “His recovery was good.

“This season and also last season [he had a bad injury]. But I think he’s very fine after the injury.

“It was a difficult injury, it was an injury that other players, other clubs, other medical assessments - they end in surgery.

“His option - with the medical opinions - was not to go to the surgery table and his recovery was really, really good.

“So I think he is more than fine in relation to his recovery from the injury which is an area sometimes where you have a recurrence. In his case, not at all.”

Pogba scored a stunning free-kick against Russia in a friendly match [Photo: Courtesy]

Pogba rarely gives interviews, his response being “I do my talking on the pitch”, but he has been on mute on the field of play of late, which is why he has lost his place.

Despite the tension between Mourinho and Pogba, there is no appetite to offload the player this summer, with the United boss believing he can still get him back to his best.

To do that, Pogba must focus all his attention on football, rather than outside interests, including his huge social media profile, and train with more intensity and purpose.

Luke Shaw has been criticized by Mourinho for poor defending [Photo: Courtesy]

Luke Shaw is another United player facing an uncertain future, after Mourinho hauled him off at half-time during a 2-0 FA Cup win over Brighton a fortnight ago.

Shaw is said to have questioned Mourinho over his perceived mistreatment, but the United boss said he told the left-back exactly why he was being hooked.

“He cannot ask me,” said Mourinho. “I told him. You’re saying he asked me why I changed him. That’s what you are saying.

“A report that Luke asked me why I changed him? I told him. He didn’t ask me the question [because] I told him.”

Shaw was substituted against Brighton but could start against Swansea today [Photo: Courtesy]

Asked if Shaw will be at United next season, Mourinho said: “I think so. But I always say the door is open for everyone, so no problem for him, but I think so.

“He’s selected [against Swansea]. He’s in the 18.”