Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho may have played a blinder with Paul Pogba

Jose Mourinho’s refusal to go to war with Paul Pogba paved the way for his towering Champions League performance in Bern.

It has also sparked hopes of a truce that could yet turn the Frenchman’s Manchester United career around.

With two goals and the complete midfield display, Pogba took the plaudits against Young Boys on Wednesday night - but credit must also go to Mourinho’s handling of a potentially combustible situation.

Pogba has seemed intent on pushing his manager’s patience to the limit in the opening weeks of the season - refusing to rule out an imminent move and openly hinting at tensions between the pair.

With Barcelona keen to take him to Camp Nou - and Juventus potential suitors too - the fear inside Old Trafford is that the relationship between their club record signing and Mourinho will push him towards the exit door.

That remains a very real possibility - even if senior sources at United are adamant he is not for sale at any price.

But in Switzerland came the first indication from Pogba that tensions with Mourinho have thawed.

Handed penalty-taking duties again, despite missing his last spot kick against Burnley, the £89m man thanked his manager for keeping faith with him.

It was significant - particularly considering there was no public gratitude to Mourinho for handing him the captain’s armband at the start of the season.

Nor was there any attempt to lessen the scrutiny on their working dynamic in his interview with Sky Sports Germany during the international break.

“We have a coach-player relationship, it’s like that,” he said earlier this month.

For his part Mourinho has shown admirable restraint in refusing to rise to the bait.

While his couched praise of Pogba’s World Cup performances felt churlish in the summer, he has played the situation perfectly since then.

By naming Pogba captain in the absence of Antonio Valencia, Mourinho was challenging the 25-year-old to show his leadership qualities.

Meanwhile Pogba’s wretched performance in the 3-2 defeat at Brighton last month went unpunished as he retained his place for Tottenham the following week.

When confronted by latest questions about the Pogba’s future last week, Mourinho deftly shifted the focus to the player and his outspoken agent Mino Raiola.

In what was a masterstroke he effectively told them to come clean if they really want out. In this instance, he’s not prepared to be the villain.

Such has been the noise going on in the background that Pogba’s own form has been largely overlooked.

It’s now four goals in six games this season - and Brighton aside, he’s been one of the positives in a fractious start for United.

His willingness to step up for the penalty was a measure of his own confidence.

“I didn’t have any doubts about taking the penalty,” Pogba said. “I know I missed that one against Burnley. Joe Hart got me that time, but I won’t do the same mistake.

“I had the confidence of the players, they let me take it and I should thank them for this, as well as the manager - he let me take it as well.”

Mourinho, who told Pogba at Turf Moor that he would retain spot kick duties if he desired, added: “He was solid, class, giving the team the pace that we need sometimes. To increase the pace, keep the possession and just keep control of the tempo.

“Of course he scored a very good goal and the penalty showed personality, because when you miss a penalty you have doubts about taking the next one, but there were no doubts for him.”

The doubts around his future, however, do remain for now - but Mourinho’s personal touch could yet change that.