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Antonio Conte will be thrilled if Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho leaves Paul Pogba out of Chelsea clash, writes Danny Murphy

Manchester United star Paul Pogba: Jorge Guerrero/AFP/Getty Images
Manchester United star Paul Pogba: Jorge Guerrero/AFP/Getty Images

For as long as I can remember, keeping your best players happy has been a key rule of management. Yet for Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, this does not seem to be a big priority as it might be for others.

Conte has appeared to have fallen out with both Diego Costa and David Luiz, while all has not been well between Mourinho and United’s record signing, Paul Pogba. Ultimately, the manager’s word is final though if you ‘lose’ your top players, the job becomes a lot harder.

I have heard the argument that the best players these days are more difficult to manage than ever, because of their wealth and global appeal. But look at it another way; the modern managers are as famous and wealthy as they have ever been, so they can act without fear of repercussions.

Mourinho was sacked by Chelsea midway through the 2015-16 season but was manager of United at the start of the following campaign, and has since signed a new contract.

If Conte leaves Chelsea at the end of this campaign, as many are predicting, I cannot imagine he will be out of work for very long.

These managers have had success in the past and will carry their status for a long time - but it is still unwise to cut off your nose to spite your face. Mourinho had a strained relationship with Eden Hazard at Chelsea and he must be careful not to go the same way with Pogba.

United are a better team with Pogba in it. If he is left out of the starting XI on Sunday, his old Juventus coach Conte will be thrilled.