Premier League 2018/19

[MDK]

Ronny Fucking Wallwork.

[FLiam]

Luke Chadwick. 

[MDK]

That is Darth Vader without the helmet.

[Molly]

 

[Arjen Robben]

Quote

Jose Mourinho told Man United player to 'stay away' from Paul Pogba - sources

MANCHESTER -- Jose Mourinho's relationship with Paul Pogba at Manchester United had deteriorated to such an extent during his final weeks as manager at Old Trafford that the Portuguese told at least one member of his squad to "stay away" from the midfielder, sources have told ESPN FC.

Mourinho and Pogba had become increasingly detached and distrusting of each other since the player was substituted during a 2-0 defeat against Tottenham at Wembley in January, but by the time Mourinho was sacked on Tuesday, the disaffection had spread throughout the dressing room.

While Mourinho refused to comment on reports earlier this month that he had described Pogba as a "virus" following the 2-2 draw against Southampton at St Mary's, his opinion was made clear when he urged one of his senior players, during a one-on-one meeting, to avoid being influenced by the France international.

Unsurprisingly, the message from Mourinho was quickly relayed to the dressing room, where the depth of ill-feeling towards the manager was such that sources have told ESPN FC that "90 percent" of the players had lost all respect for the former Chelsea and Real Madrid coach due to his critical treatment of them, both in the dressing room and in public.

Had Mourinho remained in charge, several players were prepared to seek a move away from Old Trafford next summer, but sources said that the mood has now changed significantly since Tuesday's sacking and the squad are now looking forward to "enjoying their football and their life again."

Mourinho did not make a final visit to the dressing room on Tuesday after being told by executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward that he had lost his job.

A handful of players did visit Mourinho in his office at United's Carrington training ground to wish him well, but while sources said it was an "emotional" morning for some of the club's staff, the mood among the players was upbeat and celebratory rather than one of regret.

Despite the air of negativity around Carrington, and the hostility towards Mourinho, sources said that Pogba, in particular, has worked hard to ensure that the players' discontent has not affected non-playing staff at the club.

On one occasion recently, a high-profile player drove away from the training ground after refusing to do a contractually-obliged interview with a rights holder before a Premier League game. But having been told of his teammate's no-show, Pogba volunteered to take his place to ensure that members of the club's media department did not fall foul of the Premier League's rules.

Good guy Pogba :*)

[Hobo]

Paul Pogba should have to earn his place in the squad back from Scott McTominay.

Assuming Scott McTominay is real.

[DavidMarrio]

Pogba should be next manager. 

#Pogaffer

[Adam]

1 hour ago, DavidMarrio said:

Pogba should be next manager. 

#Pogaffer

#Pogboss surely?

[Lineker]

Sonny called up for the Asian Cup. Bit annoying. Thankfully, they've agreed to let him stay with us until after the Man Utd game on the 13th.

[stokeriño]

17 hours ago, DavidMarrio said:

Pogba should be next manager. 

#Pogaffer

 

16 hours ago, Adam es Tranquilo said:

#Pogboss surely?

Let's not rush him. He first needs to get some experience as #Pogbackroomstaff.

[stokeriño]

I can't deny: I find the scale of disparity here just a little bit funny.

(Although I'd rather we had further to travel to face a team that weren't as motivated to perform against us like Palace/etc. typically are.)

[FLiam]

15 minutes ago, stokerino said:

I can't deny: I find the scale of disparity here just a little bit funny.

(Although I'd rather we had further to travel to face a team that weren't as motivated to perform against us like Palace/etc. typically are.)

More of a reason why they should dump Newcastle into the SPL.

[Adam]

1 hour ago, Lineklaus said:

Sonny called up for the Asian Cup. Bit annoying. Thankfully, they've agreed to let him stay with us until after the Man Utd game on the 13th.

Look at it this way, it's far less annoying losing him for a few weeks due to the Asia Cup than it is losing him for several years to military service.

[Lineker]

Very true!

[FLiam]

I am hearing that Son will also miss the beginning of the 2020 season as he will be at the Olympics in Tokyo with the South Korean diving squad.

[lanky316]

Not seen the game so can't comment on any dive from Son that you've taken offence to but didn't Arsenal find themselves getting three players booked for diving in the same game a couple of weeks back? Doesn't help anyone ultimately but there are far worse offenders and teams for diving than Son. Hell, he's not even the worst at Spurs for throwing himself to the floor. Incidentally whatever happened to retrospective punishment? I think someone early on got called up on it but there have been plenty of incidents where people are getting away with it still. Maybe eventually a sports governing body will actually take action against cheating one day.

[Kaney]

It's entirely because both of their goals against us in the league game came from Son diving, it's not a serious thing.

[FLiam]

It's mainly because Spurs can do one. 

[Gazz]

3 hours ago, Liam Mk2 said:

More of a reason why they should dump Newcastle into the SPL.

Watch ya mouf son.

[Baddar]

The first day Carrick was taking training, Fellaini was the first to turn up by all accounts, a good while before any of the other players. Loves making an impression on new bosses, I'll give him that! Bet he gave Ole a lift to Carrington himself this morning the crafty twat.