Manchester United’s brilliant comeback against Newcastle came after Jose Mourinho asked Paul Pogba for advice on tactics at half-time, it’s emerged.
The Red Devils were losing 2-0 at home to Rafa Benitez’s team at the interval, but fought back to win 3-2 thanks to goals from Juan Mata, Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez.
It coincided with Pogba, a player known for his attacking prowess, moved to deeper role, often finding himself in the centre-back position.According to the Sun , the move was suggested by Pogba himself after Mourinho asked his players for their input in the dressing room at half-time.
Mourinho apparently listened, taking off midfielder Scott McTominay, who had dropped into defence after Eric Bailly was hooked on the 19-minute mark.
Nemanja Matic, who had been playing as a midfield anchor, went to centre-back, with Pogba sitting just in front of the back four and behind Marouane Fellaini.
It worked. Pogba started to pull the strings from a deep lying role. Perhaps more significantly, though, it suggests the pair’s relationship is not beyond repair as it had been thought following their training ground bust-up last month.
Reflecting on the victory, 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.”