Mourinho reportedly strips Paul Pogba of Manchester United captaincy

Topics: English Premier League, Manchester United, Jose Mourinho, Paul Pogba

Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba's relationship has apparently hit a new low following a recent discord.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is said to have relieved his side's captain Paul Pogba of his leadership duties until further notice. Per multiple reports, the Portuguese made this known to the player and the rest of the squad at a team meeting which was held during the final training session ahead of Tuesday's EFL Cup clash with Derby County.

The decision was seemingly motivated by the fact that Paul Pogba, following Manchester United's 1-1 draw at home to Wolves on Saturday, questioned his manager's tactics in a post-match interview. The 25-year-old French midfielder suggested that the Red Devils could have had the results going their way had they adopted a more attack-minded approach at home.

The comments, as a result, were not taken well by Jose Mourinho who was very critical of the performances of some of his players. Speculations indicate that the former Chelsea manager was especially unhappy with the role Paul Pogba played in the build-up to Wolves' goal as it came as a result of the Frenchman losing ball possession at a point in the game.

According to UK tabloid Mirror, Jose Mourinho further highlighted his dissatisfaction with certain members of the squad in his programme notes ahead of Tuesday's clash with Derby County. He wrote: "I hope we can look back on Saturday's game against Wolves for an important lesson; a lesson that I repeat week after week, a lesson that some boys are not learning.

"Every team that plays Manchester United are playing the game of their lives, and we need to match that level of aggression, motivation, and desire - 95 percent isn't enough when others give 101 percent.

"That is how Wolves treated Saturday's game and I am sure it is how Derby's players will regard tonight's match.

"The important thing is always that our players are ready for this and always have the same attitude, whoever the visitors are."

With Antonio Valencia set to return to the team following an injury lay-off, the duties of the club's captain are expected to be handed over to him once again. Paul Pogba, who was omitted from the Manchester United squad for the EFL Cup clash with Derby, brought some positivity to the side during his reign as the captain. The former Juventus player has so far managed four goals and two assists in seven appearances.