The latest falling out between Jose Mourinho and one of his players has seen the World Cup winner Paul Pogba fast become a problem the Portuguese manager would love to be without. The relationship between the pair has been frosty since pretty much the day Pogba re-signed for United from Juventus. That frostiness has almost turned to ice in recent weeks with public disagreements threatening to cast a shadow over the rest of United's season. Their latest setback, a 3-1 Premier League defeat to West Ham, has put huge pressure on Mourinho ahead of their second UEFA Champions League clash of the season against Valencia on Tuesday and the two-time winner of the tournament will hope his team can do him a favour by getting the three points.
But will Pogba be involved?
The style of Pogba
When the Frenchman returned to United in 2016, Manchester United fans revelled in the revelation they had brought one of the most sought-after players in the world back to Old Trafford and his reputation since initially leaving the club for Juventus in 2012 had grown astronomically. Having departed the club as a less than a bit-part player, he had turned into a world star during his time with the Italian giants, his style, creativity and sheer power making him almost unplayable for the Turin club. In a midfield which featured the iconic Andrea Pirlo and industrious Claudio Marchisio, Pogba had next to no defensive responsibilities and, from his advanced role on the left edge of centre midfield, he was able to score incredible goals and create many for his teammates.
That Pogba, however, is one which we haven't seen in a Manchester United shirt under Mourinho. Despite making the 25-year-old the most expensive player in the world, the self-proclaimed 'Special One' hasn't allowed Pogba to play in the manner which made him one of the most highly rated players in the world. Any onlookers would be able to see that Mourinho wants every single member of his team to prioritise defence over attack and, while Pogba's physique suggests he would be more than capable of doing that, his mentality is to excite, attack and impose himself in the advanced areas of the pitch.
Perhaps his success with France then can be attributed in part to having N'Golo Kante alongside him, a player who is more than happy to do the dirty work to enable the flamboyant Frenchman to wreak havoc.
Discontent continues to brew
As a result of having the shackles placed upon him, it perhaps is no surprise that Pogba isn't enjoying his football at United.
His recent public comment regarding the team's mentality during their home draw with Wolves is just one of many rumblings of discontent which have brewed in recent months and it shows no sign of abating. A training ground disagreement between the pair shortly after United's Carabao Cup elimination at the hands of Derby County only worsened the public image of their relationship and Pogba's withdrawal at the London Stadium during United's defeat at the hands of West Ham gave the media all the headlines they needed.
What now for United, Mourinho and Pogba
Simply put, something will have to give. For United, a club steeped in tradition and success, this is a situation which would make some of the club's iconic managers wince.
Would this have happened under the likes of Sirs Matt Busy or Alex Ferguson? Very doubtful. When something similar did happen under Ferguson, it resulted in David Beckham being sold to Real Madrid. It begs the question of whether the same fate may hit Pogba - but many believe it will be the manager who is the first of the two to depart. While Pogba's performances haven't set the world alight in United red, his marketability is something which will unquestionably continue to make the Manchester club millions. It would, therefore, be more likely that we will see Mourinho depart before the Frenchman - it seems now that the question is more of 'when' than 'if'.
