Defiant Jose Mourinho: Paul Pogba is not Manchester United's second captain anymore... I do not have to explain why

Jose Mourinho confirmed Paul Pogba has been stripped of the Manchester United vice-captaincy - then insisted he wouldn’t explain his decision.

Pogba was informed of his demotion ahead of Tuesday’s EFL Cup defeat to Derby.

It’s believed Mourinho has major doubts over the World Cup winner’s attitude, with this latest decision representing a new low in the pair’s relationship.

“The only truth is that I made the decision for Paul not to be the second captain anymore,” said the United manager. “It was exactly the same person who decided Paul was the second captain.

“No fall-out at all, just decisions I do not have to explain.”

Few will accept Mourinho’s assertion that there are no issues between him and the club’s record signing - and defeat to a Championship side pointed deeper-lying issues in the squad.

After criticising his players’ attitude following Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Wolves, he accepted the failings of his side for the second game in succession.

Derby secured a famous win in a sudden death penalty shoot-out after Marouane Fellaini’s injury-time header levelled the score a 2-2.

Juan Mata had put United ahead after three minutes, but second half goals from Harry Wilson and Jack Marriott either side of Sergio Romero’s red card for handling outside of his area, put Derby on the verge of a win in normal time.

After Derby had converted all eight of their spot kicks, Phil Jones missed the decisive one for United.

Mourinho said: “You know it happened that we didn’t score when we could and we could in the first half to kill it. We didn’t.

“At half-time I repeated the words I said in the last match. Their dressing room is a dressing room with belief and we need to go and kill the game which we didn’t.

“We couldn’t be dominant in the second half and only after their equaliser we get a reaction, which I don’t like. I prefer to go for it, but we only go for it after the 1-1.

“After the red card we are in difficulty, but even after that we have a group that tried until the last second and then the penalties, somebody has to miss.

“Going after the sixth and seventh, I knew we would be in trouble with Jones and Eric (Bailly).

“You say I criticise, I don’t.

“You want me to say we play a phenomenal match? The truth is the opponent in the second half started better than us, we responded at 1-1.”