What’s that odd feeling? It’s sympathy for Mourinho amid Pogba’s malaise | Barney Ronay

The dynamic between Manchester United’s manager and star player is doing nobody any good – but can anyone really say Pogba is performing at the level of the Premier League’s best?

I know it’s over. And it never really began. But in my heart, it was so real. Paul, José. It’s been two years now. There are times in a relationship like this when you just have to take a step back and accept that things aren’t working out. Although, for the sake of the team, who really shouldn’t be asked to choose between you, we could at least try to be civilised about this.

Another Manchester United wobble, another public snipe between José Mourinho and Paul Pogba. United may be listing a little this season but there are some things that do seem certain. The dysfunctional dynamic between manager and star player isn’t doing anyone any good. And beyond this Pogba in particular might want to think twice about asking people to look any more closely at his own role and his own contribution to an evolving team – because it’s not always a pretty sight.

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