Manchester United eased into the quarter final of the FA Cup on Saturday, with Romelu Lukaku scoring both goals in a 2-0 win at Huddersfield that sets up a quarter-final tie against Brighton.
But despite the victory, and despite controversy arising from the video assistant referee (VAR) disallowing Juan Mata’s goal, the headlines have been dominated by the player who didn’t feature for United. Paul Pogba missed the match owing to illness - which, as the Daily Mirror notes, must have come on suddenly, after Jose Mourinho said at Friday’s pre-match press conference that the Frenchman would play.
Pogba cried off sick on Saturday morning, leading Mourinho to take what Metro describes as a “snide dig” at the player. Talking to MUTV, the United gaffer lavished praise on midfielder Scott McTominay, who had an impressive game against Huddersfield, when United switched to the 4-3-3 formation that Pogba had apparently wanted.
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“We had some players missing, but we had some players that played and played so, so well,” said Mourinho, who then singled out 21-year-old McTominay, saying he didn’t get the attention his performances deserved.
“Honestly, I think Scott deserves more than what he’s getting. I think maybe because he’s [got] this kind of kid profile: a normal haircut, no tattoos, no big cars, no big watches. A humble kid.”
Metro claims that was Mourinho’s way of criticising Pogba for his “rather flamboyant lifestyle”; a criticism that shows a worrying deterioration in the pair’s relationship, says the newspaper.
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According to the Mirror, the ill-feeling boiled over during last week’s 1-0 defeat at Newcastle. In what the newspaper describes as “a furious bust-up”, the Portuguese manager reportedly launched a scathing verbal attack on both Pogba and Phil Jones in the dressing room. Such was the level of abuse that Newcastle officials outside “could hear him shouting”.
Where that leaves Pogba’s future at Old Trafford is anyone’s guess, although the Daily Star insists he won’t be offloaded to Real Madrid. Rumours emerged last week that the Spanish club were willing to pay £120m to take the fiery Frenchman off United’s hands, but according to Spanish news outlet Diario Gol, Cristiano Ronaldo “has told Real he doesn’t want Pogba at the Bernabeu”.
Meanwhile, in the other FA Cup fifth-round ties, Leicester’s reward for their 1-0 win at Sheffield United is a home clash against Chelsea, who thrashed Hull 4-0 on Friday night.
Southampton will play the winner of tonight’s match between Manchester City and Wigan after beating West Brom.
And in what was undoubtedly the most dramatic tie of the week, Rochdale and Tottenham drew 2-2, with the League One side levelling in the third minute of stoppage time after Harry Kane had put Tottenham 2-1 ahead from the penalty spot on 88 minutes.
“I think I was hoping more than believing,” said Rochdale hero Steven Davies of his last-gasp strike. “When they bring on the big guns and Harry Kane scores, I’ve got to follow suit, haven’t I?”
The two sides will replay at Wembley next week, with the winner then playing either Sheffield Wednesday or Swansea.
FA Cup quarter-final draw
- Leicester vs. Chelsea
- Manchester United vs. Brighton
- Sheffield Wednesday or Swansea vs. Rochdale or Tottenham
- Wigan or Manchester City vs. Southampton
The ties take place from 16-19 March
