Jose Mourinho has confirmed Antonio Valencia will assume the captaincy of Manchester United upon his return from injury.
The 33-year-old, who has made 235 Premier League appearances for the club since his move from Wigan nine years ago, sustained a calf injury during pre-season and his return date has not been specified by Mourinho. Paul Pogba wore the armband during last Friday’s 2-1 win over Leicester City and Mourinho confirmed the World Cup winner will continue to do so until Valencia is ready to make his first team return.
On the captaincy situation at Old Trafford, Mourinho said: ‘We thought, I think it was before the game against Basel, Pogba is a young guy, with a good personality, made in the academy, normally a starting line-up player, so he has the conditions to be a captain in the future.
Jose confirms @PaulPogba will captain #MUFC on Sunday and says “I couldn’t be happier with him than I am now.” pic.twitter.com/1qIGsoKzMB
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 17, 2018
‘In the continuity of this, with no Antonio (Valencia) in the team, he was the captain and for the next match I don’t think Antonio’s going to play, so he’ll be the captain again.
‘But one day when Antonio comes back, Antonio will be the captain again.’
On Feud with Pogba
Jose Mourinho has claimed he ‘couldn’t be happier’ with Paul Pogba following rumours of a bust-up between the pair at Manchester United’s training ground.
Pogba was made captain for United’s Premier League opener against Leicester but hinted a rift between him and Mourinho after the 2-1 victory, stating ‘there are things that I cannot say otherwise I will get fined’.
Mourinho then reportedly told Pogba to hand in a transfer request if he wishes to leave amid speculation that Barcelona are interested in signing the Frenchman.
However, Mourinho categorically denied that he had an altercation with Pogba at Carrington and revealed that the midfielder will be handed the captain’s armband once again at Brighton on Sunday afternoon.
pogba deserves it.