Jose Mourinho is adamant that he has not fallen out with Paul Pogba despite confirming that he is no longer Manchester United's vice-captain.
Reports earlier on Tuesday claimed Mourinho had told Pogba that he would never captain the Red Devils again following his criticism of the side's defensive tactics in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Wolves at Old Trafford.
The France international, who has been handed the captain's armband three times so far this season in the absence of Antonio Valencia, was subsequently "rested" from the squad for the Carabao Cup third round home tie against Derby County.
I'm the manager I can make these decisions, no fall out at all, no problems at all. Just a decision I do not have to explain.
Jose Mourinho
United were ultimately stunned by Frank Lampard's Championship outfit 8-7 in a penalty shoot-out after the tie finished 2-2 after 90 minutes, while the hosts were reduced to ten men on 67 minutes when goalkeeper Sergio Romero was red-carded.
However, the talk afterwards was centred around Pogba, with Mourinho confirming that he is no longer vice-captain but insisting there has been no bust-up between the pair.
The Portuguese said: "The only truth [to the reports] is that I made the decision for Paul not to be the second captain anymore.
"But no fall out, no problems at all. The same person that decided Paul is not the second captain anymore is the same person that decided Paul was the second captain - myself.
"I'm the manager I can make these decisions, no fall out at all, no problems at all. Just a decision I do not have to explain."
Despite Mourinho's claims, this latest news will only plunge Pogba's future at United in further doubt with the 25-year-old linked to both Barcelona and former club Juventus in the summer.
It remains to be seen if Pogba will be back in the starting XI for United's Premier League trip to face West Ham at the London Stadium on Saturday lunchtime.
United are 17/20 to recover from their cup defeat and pick up a win, while the Hammers are priced at 3/1 to come out on top and the draw is 13/5.
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Jose Mourinho is adamant that he has not fallen out with Paul Pogba despite confirming that he is no longer Manchester United's vice-captain.
Reports earlier on Tuesday claimed Mourinho had told Pogba that he would never captain the Red Devils again following his criticism of the side's defensive tactics in Saturday's 1-1 draw against Wolves at Old Trafford.
The France international, who has been handed the captain's armband three times so far this season in the absence of Antonio Valencia, was subsequently "rested" from the squad for the Carabao Cup third round home tie against Derby County.
I'm the manager I can make these decisions, no fall out at all, no problems at all. Just a decision I do not have to explain.
Jose Mourinho
United were ultimately stunned by Frank Lampard's Championship outfit 8-7 in a penalty shoot-out after the tie finished 2-2 after 90 minutes, while the hosts were reduced to ten men on 67 minutes when goalkeeper Sergio Romero was red-carded.
However, the talk afterwards was centred around Pogba, with Mourinho confirming that he is no longer vice-captain but insisting there has been no bust-up between the pair.
The Portuguese said: "The only truth [to the reports] is that I made the decision for Paul not to be the second captain anymore.
"But no fall out, no problems at all. The same person that decided Paul is not the second captain anymore is the same person that decided Paul was the second captain - myself.
"I'm the manager I can make these decisions, no fall out at all, no problems at all. Just a decision I do not have to explain."
Despite Mourinho's claims, this latest news will only plunge Pogba's future at United in further doubt with the 25-year-old linked to both Barcelona and former club Juventus in the summer.
It remains to be seen if Pogba will be back in the starting XI for United's Premier League trip to face West Ham at the London Stadium on Saturday lunchtime.
United are 17/20 to recover from their cup defeat and pick up a win, while the Hammers are priced at 3/1 to come out on top and the draw is 13/5.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com