After the retirement of Michael Carrick at the end of last season, and the departure of Wayne Rooney the year before, Manchester United have once again been looking for a new club captain. Antonio Valencia, who has been at the club since 2009 was given the armband on a permanent basis by Jose Mourinho, having consistently been captain during the last campaign, but with the Ecuadorian now 33, and not necessarily known for his leadership presence on the pitch, questions have been asked as to whether a more suitable candidate was available.
Sky Sports’ Jamie Redknapp seems to think so, and whilst Mourinho and Paul Pogba’s relationship came under some serious strain during the last season, the former Liverpool player-turned-pundit has suggested that the Frenchman, fresh from World Cup success with his country would have been an excellent choice for captain:
http://gty.im/900333070
“I saw a leader in that dressing room, full of superstars, big-name players and they all listened to him,” said Redknapp on Sky Sports’ Transfer Centre. “I think it would have been a great move; why not make Paul Pogba captain? Why not say to him ‘you’re my man. There’s the pressure on you now, put the armband on and see how you like it.’ I think he needs a manager to put his arm around him, a little bit like (France manager Didier) Deschamps did, and tell him ‘you’re the man.’ You see now, a player who is a world champion.
“Jose was critical of his own players last season, and (Sir Alex) Ferguson used to give his own players all sorts of stick, but never in public. I don’t think that relationship gets repaired with those two.”
Redknapp’s comment regarding the nature of Mourinho and Pogba’s relationship is certainly pertinent, as the Frenchman must surely be front and centre of the former Chelsea boss’ plans if the club are to have any sort of success this season.
