All is not well at Old Trafford
Manchester United suffered an embarrassing exit from the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, as they lost to Derby County on penalties.
United had taken the lead early on through Juan Mata, but goals from Harry Wilson and Jack Marriott put the visitors in front. United once again relied on Marouane Fellaini’s forehead to save the day, as the Belgian headed in a late equaliser. As is now custom in the EFL Cup, the game went straight to penalties, and United lost 7-8, as Scott Carson saved Phil Jones’ penalty.
This defeat will only worsen an already tense atmosphere at Old Trafford, as well as within the dressing room.
Paul Pogba was this week stripped of the vice captaincy after comments he made about José Mourinho’s tactics.
In his post-match interview after the Derby loss, Mourinho insisted there was no fall out between him and Pogba, though.
“The only truth is that I made the decision for Paul not to be the second captain anymore,” he said assertively.
“[There has been] no fall out at all, no problems at all,” he added, unconvincingly.
“The person who made the decision that Paul Pogba is no longer the second captain is the same person that made the decision to make Paul Pogba the second captain. It is a decision that i do not need to explain.”
Mourinho’s insistence that there has been no fall out will only fuel rumours that there has in fact been a fall out. It seems that Pogba and Mourinho will not be able to coexist at United much longer, and the club will soon have to pick a side.
Mourinho also admitted he was worried when Phil Jones and Eric Bailly stepped up to take their penalties. His mind games have become so advanced, that his motivational tactics now entail shattering the confidence of his back-up defenders, one would presume so that the only direction from rock bottom is up.
