Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho hits back at criticism over where he plays Paul Pogba and insists he knows what’s best
Old Trafford legend and new Wales boss Ryan Giggs was among the pundits claiming Pogba, 24, would best be used further forward
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MANCHESTER UNITED boss Jose Mourinho has hit back after being criticised over where he plays Paul Pogba.
Old Trafford legend and new Wales boss Ryan Giggs was among the pundits who claimed Pogba, 24, would best be used further forward.
But Mourinho brushed away the comments and claimed the Frenchman — who only played 25 minutes against Huddersfield last week — knows he operates best as a box-to-box midfielder.
Mourinho said: "With some comments from important people in football, I got a bit confused. For me box-to-box means (gestures) box-to-box.
"(It) Means you have to defend well, have the physical conditions to go to the other box, where you have to be good at scoring, creating, heading and then, when your team loses the ball, you have to go to the other box.
"Now people say a box-to-box has to play free of defensive duties.
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"That is not box-to-box - that is a box in the box and stay in that box!
"I think nowadays with some pundits, some agents, some family members, I think the concept of the box-to-box is changing a little bit.
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"But I just think - midfield players. And, for me, Paul is a midfield player. He is not a left back, he is not a striker.
"So, people ask what is the best position for Paul to play - Paul is a midfield player.
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"It doesn't matter the tactical system the team plays, he will always be a midfield player.
"Between me and Paul there are no confusions - he is a midfield player and that's it.
"And it is difficult to find a midfield player with more potential than Paul has. Paul has everything."