Mourinho backs Pogba for leadership role

The Portuguese said that Wayne Rooney's absence would be felt around the club but insisted that there is now the opportunity for young players to assume roles of leadership and reponsability within the side.

When asked about Pogba Mourinho said that he was "the leader of the young guys," not just because he was the oldest of that particular group but because he's "for sure the one with more experience because he's the one that played Champions League final, Euro final, Europa League final."

The 54-year-old explained that Pogba "has big experience at such a young age, at the same time he's still the kid that come from the academy - the way he is in the club, the way he is in the group, in the training ground, his relation with the people is still the relation that Marcus Rashford has, Jesse Lingard has, all these kids they have."

As a result of this experience and the deep connection that Pogba has with the club, Mourinho is backing the Frenchman to be a vital member of the United squad in the years to come. "He is still the kid from the academy but with his experience, with his status and with his quality on the pitch, where he is also a key player for us, I think Paul has (the) conditions to be in a couple of years such an important guy in the club, really," the Portuguese explained.

Does Pogba have it in him to be a leader? Or will his team-mates grow tired of his off-field antics? Time will tell.