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Pogba's exit from Man Utd appears to move closer

Published : 27 Sep 2018, 04:00

  DF-Xinhua Report
Manchester United's Paul Pogba. File Photo Xinhua.

World Cup winner Paul Pogba appeared to take another step closer to the exit door at Old Trafford on Tuesday night after Manchester United coach Jose Mourinho confirmed he was no longer vice-captain at the club.

Speaking to the press following Manchester United's elimination from the Carabao Cup on penalties after a 2-2 draw against second division Derby County, Mourinho talked about the French international, who captained the team in the first three matches of the season, but watched Tuesday's defeat from the stands.

"The only truth is that I made the decision for Paul; not to be the second captain any more. It was exactly the same person who decided Paul was the second captain - myself. No fallout at all, just decisions I do not have to explain," said Mourinho.

The news came after Pogba seemed to criticize Mourinho following United's 1-1 draw at home to newly promoted Wolverhampton Wanderers at the weekend, saying that at home his side should "attack, attack, attack".

This was taken by some as a clear dig at Mourinho's cautious tactics and a further indication of the poor relationship between the two.

Pogba was a transfer target for FC Barcelona during the summer and the press in Spain believe that Barca will try and take advantage of the latest episode in the poor relationship between Mourinho and Pogba to make another effort to sign him when the transfer window reopens in January.