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Mourinho tells Pogba: You will never captain Man United again

Pogba appears to have worn the Manchester United captain's armband for the last time - Getty Images Europe
Pogba appears to have worn the Manchester United captain's armband for the last time - Getty Images Europe

Jose Mourinho appears to have stamped his authority on the protracted saga with Paul Pogba after he announced to the Manchester United squad that the World Cup winner will never captain the club again.

The Portuguese informed his star midfielder in front of the rest of his teammates in a training-ground meeting at Carrington on Tuesday, three days after the French midfielder criticised United's negative tactics for home fixtures following the 1-1 draw with Wolves at Old Trafford.

“I’m not the manager, I cannot, like, say that but … obviously we should show more option of playing but I cannot say that because I’m a player,” Pogba said. “That’s my way of thinking - we should move better, we should move more, yeah."

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Pogba hinted yesterday that his post-match comments had been misconstrued, but Mourinho now appears to have acted decisively to censure his record signing.

Pogba captained United as recently as last week, when he led them to a 3-0 Champions League victory away to Swiss side Young Boys - scoring twice - but it has been made clear that he will never be given the armband again under Mourinho's management.

The 25-year-old, who returned to Old Trafford from Juventus for £89m two years ago, is not expected to face Derby County in the Carabao Cup fourth round tonight, while regular captain Antonio Valencia is also expected to be rested.