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Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba drifting apart

By Matt Townsend

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Mohamed Diame of Newcastle United is challenged by Paul Pogba of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St. James Park on February 11, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 11: Mohamed Diame of Newcastle United is challenged by Paul Pogba of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Manchester United at St. James Park on February 11, 2018 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images) /
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Reports surfacing in the press suggest that the relationship between Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho and midfielder Paul Pogba might be breaking down

The relationship between Manchester United manager Mourinho and star midfielder Pogba is under strain according to Ian Wright in The Sun.

And Real Madrid might be tempted to make a move to end Paul Pogba’s second spell at Old Trafford in the summer transfer window.

There were also reports in the same paper earlier that Real are thinking of targeting the France midfielder in a summer move.

With Real struggling this season to keep up with Barcelona and several big stars the wrong side of 30 they might see Pogba as just the kind of high-profile signing to re-build around.

Pogba has endured a frustratingly inconsistent time during his return to Manchester United. His last league outing in United’s defeat by Newcastle underlined the disappointing form he has displayed recently.

He also seems to be the latest Manchester United star to find his relationship with manager Jose Mourinho is under strain.

This is apparently becoming a pattern with Mourinho singling out certain players for criticism on a regular basis.

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And after spats with Luke Shaw and Marouane Fellaini it now looks like it could be Pogba’s turn.

Mourinho’s increasingly eccentric and confrontational management style certainly doesn’t seem to be helping his team to perform in the league though.

Manchester United are a whopping 16 points adrift of fierce rivals Manchester City this season and that gap only seems likely to grow at the moment.

The defeat to Newcastle coupled with wins for their rivals, might even see their top four place put in jeopardy.

In addition the signing of Alexis Sanchez has further complicated team selection.

I wrote earlier, when United were looking to sign him, that it might mean Pogba’s position would change to fit Sanchez into the team. And that could have a significant impact on United’s performances.

Although he hasn’t exactly set the premier league on fire since his £90 million move, he had been showing signs of getting back to something like his best earlier in the season.

In the early part of the season Pogba was performing well, moving the ball quickly and incisively and starting a lot of United’s best attacking moves as they got off to a good start.

But Sanchez’ arrival has meant he is back to playing a deeper role in midfield. This doesn’t appear to suit his strengths and his influence has been more limited as a result.

Next: Manchester United defeat underlines frailties

If Pogba can’t repair his relationship with Mourinho, and United endure an unsuccessful season without a major trophy, Pogba too might feel a move to Real Madrid is the right one to get his career back on track.

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