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Football

21st Feb 2018

Jose Mourinho hugged a reporter for his post-match question

A new side to Jose

Darragh Murphy

Jose Mourinho appreciated that.

Mourinho made it very clear ahead of kick-off on Wednesday night that he had grown tired of the endless questions about Paul Pogba and the rumoured rift between the midfielder and the Manchester United manager.

“You always ask about the one who isn’t playing,” Mourinho said ahead of United’s 0-0 stalemate with Sevilla in the Champions League Round of 16 first leg clash.

Well Pogba entered the fray after 16 minutes due to an injury to Ander Herrera, joining Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay in the Red Devils’ midfield.

It was only McTominay’s second Champions League start, having broken into the first team this season, and he continues to deal with the hype around him admirably, with grown tired of the endless questions about Paul Pogba

Mourinho appreciated the fact that BT Sport reporter Des Kelly acknowledged McTominay in his post-match interview, rather than focus on the decision to start Pogba on the bench.

“Can I hug you?” Mourinho asked in response to a question about the youngster.

“I went to the press conference and the questions were about Paul and I think the question should be about the kid. He was fantastic, he did everything well, he puts lots of press on Banega to stop him as a playmaker, he was always comfortable, I think he was brilliant but I have to say the midfield started very well and when Herrera came out Paul made a big effort to go into that dynamic and I think he had a positive performance.”