Manchester United back Jose Mourinho over summer overhaul and would sanction sale of Paul Pogba 
Jason Burt, chief football correspondent
17 APRIL 2018 • 8:17PM
Jose Mourinho has the full backing of Manchester United to undertake a radical overhaul of his underperforming squad this summer – even if that means selling Paul Pogba. The United midfielder is still understood to be part of Mourinho’s plans, as things stand, but the manager was extremely disappointed and, crucially, felt let down by his performance during the shocking defeat at home by West Bromwich Albion last Sunday and is expecting a response from the midfielder from now until the end of the season. If Pogba does not improve his form then Mourinho could attempt to force him out of United. The United board remain adamant the club has made progress under Mourinho, even if they do not win a trophy this season, but he has to push on in the next campaign to mount a far more serious title challenge to Manchester City if he is to maintain that support. Mourinho is fully aware of the situation and knows that if United do not do better in the league and the Champions League then his own position will quickly come under threat. United regard winning football as entertaining football and will accept Mourinho’s dourness if the team is successful. Having called out his players following the West Brom defeat Mourinho is demanding a response beginning with the Premier League match at Bournemouth on Wednesday and then the FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday as that competition represents the last chance to win a trophy this season.
Pogba, along with Alexis Sánchez, Juan Mata and Ander Herrera are in danger of being dropped for the Wembley game following their lacklustre performances against West Brom.
Mourinho has already made it clear to United that despite the significant spending under him so far during his time at the club he wants another summer of huge investment – and will point to City’s backing of Pep Guardiola - and is even prepared to ditch some of the players he signed who he believes have not dealt with the demands. There has been a lingering hope with some of the players who have fallen out with the manager, or fallen out of favour, that they may outlast him at the club but
it is becoming increasingly apparent that United will back Mourinho for at least one more summer. It is already known that Luke Shaw, Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind are up for sale but it is possible that Anthony Martial, who is disenchanted, Mata, Herrera and – most dramatically of all – Pogba could be added to that list despite the France midfielder being the most expensive player in English football at a transfer fee of £89million. Pep Guardiola disclosed that Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola, had contacted clubs earlier this year to gauge interest in signing him and the relationship with Mourinho has become increasingly strained.
A big stumbling block, of course, should Pogba be actively be put up for sale by United, is which club could afford to sign the 25-year-old. Paris Saint-Germain could be a logical destination but there is no suggestion that they have made a move for him while Real Madrid have maintained any deal would be too expensive.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2018/04/17/manchester-united-back-jose-mourinho-summer-overhaul-would-sanction/
