Paul Pogba is seen by many Manchester United fans as a future club captain.
Dressing room footage of his words of encouragement to his France teammates ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final makes it easy to see why. He is, in the eyes of many, a natural leader.
📹 | Pogba’s moving speech to the French squad before the World Cup final. Leader. pic.twitter.com/N7YbQIaXgp
— Man Utd Stuff (@ManUtdStuff) July 18, 2018
Despite this, Jose Mourinho’s comments after United’s first preseason game of the summer appear to suggest that, for now, he’s not in his thinking to take the armband this season.
Michael Carrick was United’s skipper last season, but has since retired and become part of the coaching setup at Old Trafford. Carrick hardly featured last season, meaning Antonio Valencia – now United’s longest-serving player – was regularly captain in his absence.
Speaking after United drew 1-1 with Club America in Phoenix on Thursday night, Mourinho suggested Valencia was likely to take the job on a permanent basis. The Ecuadorian was later confirmed as the club’s captain next season. Mourinho went on to explain that when Valencia wasn’t playing, he’d consider passing the armband to other members of the first team.
“The captain was Valencia last season, I think he’s going to be the captain,” Mourinho said. “And when he doesn’t play we have to make decisions.
“Depending on who is on the pitch, if Smalling is, if Ashley Young is, if Herrera is or Mata is, if they are on the pitch they have an option. Matic has all the attributes to be Manchester United captain but he arrived only one year ago.
“But I never care much about the captaincy, I care more about the life in the dressing room and the leaders. The armband means what it means.”
As many have pointed out since, Pogba didn’t get a mention.
