By Dave Marshall
Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho, has hailed the impact of France international, Paul Pogba at Old Trafford and has labeled the former Juventus man as a future club captain.
The 24-year-old joined United last summer after four years away from the club, but struggled to impose himself as he struggled to live up to his massive transfer fee. With Wayne Rooney departure to Everton, there is a loss of experience, and as United enter a pivotal season, Mourinho knows that the dressing room needs leaders and has tasked Pogba with the responsibility of leading the club to a new era of dominance.
As quoted by Dailypost, Mourinho said:
“We cannot say we are going to improve the group because Wayne left. No way, or the other way around.
“He was such an important guy and good guy for us, I just think it is a new period without that face, without that leaders, without that good influence on us.
“And now it is time for other people to come up and knowing that probably it is Michael Carrick’s last year, the people that is behind have to prepare themselves for that.
“And the best way to prepare themselves for that is to be already burning in terms of that good positive influence and leadership.”
“I would say the leader of the young guys” Mourinho said of Pogba. “He is probably the oldest of the young guys.
“He’s for sure the one with more experience because he’s the one that played Champions League final, Euro final, Europa League final.
“He is still the kid from the academy but with his experience, with his status and with his quality on the pitch, where he is also a key player for us, I think Paul has (the) conditions to be in a couple of years such an important guy in the club, really.” he added.
Rooney has left United after 13 years and wore the armband with distinction for three years after getting the armband back in 2014. The United legend left the club for first team opportunities at boyhood club, Everton and long serving midfielder, Michael Carrick has been named unanimously as his replacement.
However, the veteran player is not expected to be a first team player, while Jose has refused to name a vice-captain, insisting that he has enough players to lead the team out at any time. Players like Antonio Valencia and Ander Herrera are captain materials, but Jose is looking further ahead to the nearest future.
Pogba is a central midfielder that is famed for his doggedness, passing and technical attributes. He made 51 appearances for the Red Devils last season, scoring 9 goals.
