Paul Pogba has been told by manager Jose Mourinho that he will never captain Manchester United again, according to reports.
Preparations for Tuesday's Carabao Cup match against Derby were disrupted by claims that the club-record signing's tense relationship with the manager has reached a new low.
Pogba was not included in the United squad for the third-round tie. He was reported by the Times and ESPN to have been told earlier in the day in front of team-mates that he would not skipper the side again as he does not embody what the club is about.
Mourinho said on Sky Sports shortly before kick-off that Pogba and others had been "rested" for the Derby game. Pogba was seen in the Old Trafford stands with fellow United players during the match.
Nine changes for #MUFC, including a home debut for this man! 👇 Ready to see @DalotDiogo at OT? #CarabaoCup pic.twitter.com/ipb1dLbErK — Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 25, 2018
Sources close to the club were not surprised by the latest development, which will only increase speculation as to whether Pogba will stay at Old Trafford.
The France international captained the side in the Premier League openers against Leicester and Brighton in the absence of Antonio Valencia, just as he did in last week's Champions League win at Young Boys.
Pogba scored two and set up the other in the 3-0 victory in Switzerland, only to under-perform on Saturday's return to league action against Wolves.
Full-time scenes following a frustrating afternoon. #MUFC #MUNWOL pic.twitter.com/Zs9l32QmbB — Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 22, 2018
The 25-year-old was dispossessed in the move that led to Joao Moutinho's equaliser, with the midfielder saying afterwards that United should "attack, attack, attack".
Those comments are understood have got under Mourinho's skin, while Pogba took umbrage at the way they were reported.
"Some people make polemic even from 'good morning' to create drama," he posted on Twitter. "Big Pogoodmorning everyone hope u get it twisted."
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