Man United and Jose Mourinho in crisis as problems run deeper than Paul Pogba

Not even putting Paul Pogba in his place could rouse a response from Manchester United - and that will be Jose Mourinho's greatest concern.

When the players stop listening, there's usually only one outcome.

That an EFL Cup giant-killing didn't even feel like much of a shock is the greatest indictment of a team that bears no resemblance to its manager.

Mourinho started the day by telling Pogba he's no longer captain material.

Watching from the stands in a bright white tracksuit, the Frenchman would be entitled to ask who of United's current crop is?

After escaping with a draw against newly-promoted Wolves at the weekend, they needed an equaliser deep into injury time from Marouane Fellaini to level the score at 2-2, rob Derby of a famous win and send the tie to penalties.

But not even that was enough. Phil Jones' tame effort after the Championship side had converted all eight of their spot kicks was indicative of man who felt the weight of the world on his shoulders.

Elimination from the competition Mourinho has won four times was no more than United deserved.

Mourinho had warned his players - and hoped the 1-1 draw with Wolves would be a wake-up call.

In truth, he's been warning them for the best part of a year - but the message just doesn't seem to be getting through.

He even used his programme notes to try to drive the point home ahead of Derby's visit.

"I hope we can look back on Saturday's game against Wolves for an important lesson," he said. "A lesson that I repeat week after week, a lesson some boys are not learning.

"Every team that play Manchester United are playing the game of their lives, and we need to match the level of aggression, motivation and desire - 95 percent isn't enough when others give 101 percent."

United's failure to replicate their manager's intensity on a consistent basis is an issue Mourinho just doesn't seem to know how to resolve.

On the day that executive vice chairman Ed Woodward reaffirmed his backing of his manager, even he must wonder how this slump can be arrested.

That's three defeats in all competitions this season as United sit eight points adrift of Liverpool at the top of the Premier League.

Mourinho, meanwhile, is at odds with the club record signing - and can't get a tune out of another of his stars in Alexis Sanchez.

Performances like this, with a team full of internationals bullied by a lower division side, suggest Mourinho has issues with more than just two members of his squad.

That United got off to the perfect start, with Juan Mata opening the scoring after three minutes, only underlines how deep the problems run.

Harry Wilson equalised with a superb free-kick after the break and Jack Marriott looked to have sealed the comeback with his 85th minute strike.

Fellaini's equaliser five minutes into stoppage time was more than United's limp display deserved. but it gave Derby their opportunity to triumph in a thrilling shoot-out.

Mourinho, meanwhile, has been plunged straight back into crisis mode.

Where's the Fear factor?

There was a time when Old Trafford was a daunting prospect for even the giants of the game. Nowadays underdogs come to these parts believing they can cause an upset.

Newly-promoted Wolves took the game to United over the weekend and were unfortunate not to leave with more than just a point.

Derby, meanwhile, fell behind to a Mata goal after just three minutes, but showed no sign of being overawed by the occasion.

Teenager Mason Mount lived up to his growing reputation by embracing the challenge of appearing on such a grand stage.

While he appears to have the attitude of a player capable of far greater heights than Derby and the Championship, it was notable his teammates fully embraced the opportunity too.

Over the five years since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement the Theatre of Dreams has lost that fear factor it once had.

The attitudes of Wolves and Derby in the space of just a few days is proof-positive of that.

Martial stakes his claim

Mourinho has laid the law down with Pogba - now it's time to do likewise with Sanchez.

After Anthony Martial staked his latest claim to start ahead of the misfiring Chilean, all eyes will be on United's team sheet at West Ham on Saturday.

This wasn't perfect from the French winger, who couldn't maintain his first half influence after the break. But it speaks volumes that even that should be enough to keep his place at the London Stadium.

At times in the first 45 minutes it was the Martial of old - putting defenders on the back foot and driving towards goal.

He was instrumental in Mata's opener - and his clipped cross to Romelu Lukaku shortly after should have put clear daylight between United and Derby.

It wasn't until the final 20 minutes that he sprung into life again, but even still he provided more of a cutting edge than we've seen from Sanchez this season.

The question is - after telling Pogba he's not captain material - does Mourinho have the stomach to take on another of his stars?