Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho admits he is finding it difficut to manage Paul Pogba’s return from injury.
The France international has started three matches in seven days, after being sidelined for two months with the hamstring injury he suffered in the 3-0 Champions League win over Basel at Old Trafford on September 13.
Mourinho admits he faces a dilemma ahead of Tuesday’s Premier League against Watford at Vicarage Road, which is live on BT Sport 1 on the eir Sport pack [kick off 8pm], because he is unsure whether the 24-year-old is fit enough for a fourth match in 10 days.
“It’s hard for me to be on the bench and don’t know when Pogba has to be changed,” he said after Saturday’s 1-0 win over Brighton.
“I want to play [Marouane] Fellaini earlier. I want to play Fellaini with Pogba.
“But then I don’t know if Pogba is happy to be on the pitch under the fatigue line, or if the fatigue line has been reached. It’s hard to be on the bench with these dilemmas.”
Pogba played the full 90 minutes against the Seagulls, after playing 70 minutes against Newcastle United last weekend and 66 minutes in Basel on Wednesday.
Manchester United were beaten 3-1 by Watford at Vicarage Road last season, and Mourinho says he is still annoyed by that result, and in particular Miguel Britos’ challenge in the build-up to Etienne Capoue’s opening goal.
“Against Watford I was very upset with Watford’s first goal after some guy sent [Anthony] Martial to the hospital and the referee [Michael Oliver] let it go, that is the reason why I was very, very upset at Watford.”
But the Portuguese has been impressed by Watford’s form under manager Marco Silva, with Saturday’s 3-0 win at Newcastle moving the Hornets up to eighth in the table.
“They have an unusual squad for a mid-table team,” he continued.
“They have a squad full of very good players who are not normal to be in these mid-table teams.
“They have a good coach. They have improved a lot from last season.”
You can watch all of Manchester United’s Champions League campaign on their Sport package. Jose Mourinho’s side will face Basel, Benfica and CSKA Moscow in Group A. Manchester United next face CSKA Moscow at Old Trafford on Tuesday, December 5 [kick off 7.45pm]
Manchester United take on Watford at Vicarage Road in the Premier League on Tuesday, November 28, a match which is live on BT Sport 1 on their Sport pack [kick off 8pm].
Sport channels are available across their Vision, Sky and Vodafone TV platforms as well as on their Sport app. All 7 channels in their Sport pack are available for free if you are a residential broadband customer.
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