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POG'S CALL

Paul Pogba advised Jose Mourinho on tactics and substitutions in Manchester United comeback win over Newcastle

Under-pressure Red Devils chief listened to his club-record signing's advice as they trailed 2-0 at half time against the Toon

PAUL POGBA inspired Manchester United’s sensational fightback against Newcastle after Jose Mourinho consulted him on tactics.

The Old Trafford boss listened to his players in Saturday’s half-time powwow with most of the team voicing their opinions over what was going wrong.

Paul Pogba helped save Jose Mourinhos job against Newcastle
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Paul Pogba helped save Jose Mourinho against NewcastleCredit: Getty
Mourinho listened to his record signings advice at half time before his men mounted a stunning comeback
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Mourinho listened to his record signing's advice at half-time before his men mounted a stunning comebackCredit: Getty

United were trailing 2-0 to struggling Toon and Mourinho asked Pogba what he thought should happen to change things.

The French midfielder suggested a deeper role for himself and bringing on Marouane Fellaini. And that is exactly what Mourinho did.

Scott McTominay was replaced, having been pushed into the back four at the expense of Eric Bailly after 19 minutes. While midfield holding star Nemanja Matic was then pushed into the centre of defence and Pogba took on a lone role in front of the back four with Fellaini ahead of him in the centre.

Pogba, 25, then began to dictate the play in his best half of the season so far as United hit back to grab a last-gasp winner through Alexis Sanchez.

Manchester United 3-2 Newcastle: Alexis Sanchez scores the winner as Red Devils come back to ease pressure on Jose Mourinho
Alexis Sanchez, congratulating with Romelu Lukaku, grabbed a last-ditch winner to down Toon
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Alexis Sanchez, congratulating with Romelu Lukaku, grabbed a last-ditch winner to down ToonCredit: Getty
The victory will help to ease some of the pressure on the Red Devils boss
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The victory will help to ease some of the pressure on the Red Devils bossCredit: Getty Images

Mourinho said: “During half-time we opened our hearts and we spoke about tactical changes for two minutes.

“Then we spoke for eight minutes about other things that I thought would let the players be a little bit more free to face the second half and it became 3-2. Amazing.”


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While the United dressing room has been flat of late, elated staff and players were all united as one after the game. Now the hope is the victory  will prove a turning point in their season.

Mourinho and Pogba have been at each other’s throats all season — most publicly during a training-ground row on September 26.

The World-Cup winning star was also told he would never captain the club again — although Mourinho insisted Pogba was never vice-captain.

But Saturday evening showed how they could work together.

It was such a contrast to the start of the day when Mourinho received a text message from a board member telling him to ignore stories he was about to be sacked.

United’s Group Managing Director Richard Arnold even hugged the Special One after the game as the manager was being interviewed.

Mourinho was being asked about his future and seeing United chief Ed Woodward’s right-hand man Arnold walk past, he said ‘ask him’.

Arnold hugged Mourinho and said ‘well done’.

 Zinedine Zidane's agent said he is not interested in managing in the Premier League
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Zinedine Zidane's agent said he is not interested in managing in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty - Contributor

Mourinho’s job has been on the line with Zinedine Zidane waiting in the wings.

But yesterday the ex-Real Madrid coach’s agent said he would NOT be interested in the job.

Agent Alain Migliaccio said: "I do not think that he will manage in England. It is much less his style.

"I have discussed it with him, it does not really attract him. He has chosen to have a year out, he will not dive in again before that."

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