Pogba hits out at Jose's negative tactics
Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (center) watches the ball as he scores his team’s second goal past Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford during their English Premier League match at the Emirates Stadium in London on Sunday. The Gunners won 2-0.
Paul Pogba launched a blistering critique of Manchester United’s defensive-minded tactics in Saturday’s draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers, which is likely to infuriate manager Jose Mourinho.
The 25-year-old French World Cup-winning midfielder said there were no excuses for not attacking in home games.
The draw — played out in front of legendary former manager Alex Ferguson who made his first appearance at a match since undergoing emergency brain surgery in May — left United in seventh, eight points behind leader Liverpool.
“We are at home and we should play much better against Wolves. We are here to attack,” Pogba told the media after the match. “When we play like (that) it’s easier for us.”
Asked what is stopping United attacking more, Pogba said: “I can’t tell you because I’m a player. It’s not me.”
Pogba’s criticism comes shortly after it appeared that he and Mourinho were mending their rift, with the Portuguese manager saying on Friday that World Cup success had sparked Pogba into performing well.
Pogba, who hasn’t lived up to expectations since his then world record 89-million pound (US$116 million) move from Juventus in 2016, had been angered by Mourinho’s remarks in July that he had played much better at the World Cup because he was not surrounded by his entourage.
“Maybe the attitude should be better and we should play better because, again, we are at Old Trafford and we should just attack and press like we did against Tottenham, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal last season,” the midfielder said
