Jose Mourinho confirms Paul Pogba will make Manchester United debut against Southampton as he calls on Old Trafford fans to turn up the noise

  • Paul Pogba is set to make his Manchester United debut on Friday
  • Pogba will play some part in the game with Southampton 
  • Jose Mourinho has called on United's fans to turn up the noise


Jose Mourinho has given the green light for Paul Pogba to make his second Manchester United debut against Southampton on Friday night and dismissed fears the £100million Frenchman might be undercooked after a long post-Euro 2016 holiday.

Pogba, 23, has spent less than two weeks training at United's Carrington HQ after playing in the European Championship final in Paris and then heading for a break in America while his protracted world-record transfer was completed.

Mourinho has no doubt the 6ft 3in midfielder – who made seven substitute appearances for United in 2011-12 before leaving for Juventus – is ready and raring to go to make his bow against Claude Puel's men.

Jose Mourinho confirmed Paul Pogba will feature for Manchester United on Friday

Jose Mourinho confirmed Paul Pogba will feature for Manchester United on Friday

Mourinho revealed Pogba won't play the 90 minutes against Southampton
Mourinho revealed Pogba won't play the 90 minutes against Southampton

Mourinho revealed Pogba won't play the full 90 minutes against Southampton

French midfielder Pogba is set for his first game with United since his £100million move

French midfielder Pogba is set for his first game with United since his £100million move

'Paul has been training for more than a week, 10 or 11 days, we played against Leicester (in the Community Shield) with some players who had less training than that,' said Mourinho.

UNITED'S FIRST FIVE PREMIER LEAGUE GAMES 

August 14: Bournemouth (away) Won 3-1

August 19: Southampton (home)

August 27: Hull (away)

September 10: Man City (home)

September 18: Watford (away) 

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'They weren't on top of their game, not ready for 90 minutes, but they played and performed. And it was a good way for them to accelerate the process of building up form.

'I think he (Pogba) is ready to play. For 90 minutes, I don't believe. A super performance, I don't believe. But to accelerate his integration in the team, for sure.

'His adaptation has been really easy because he is a boy from here, he knows everybody. He doesn't need time to adapt, just time to build his condition and his understanding in the way the team tries to play.'

Mourinho has refuted suggestions Pogba might be undercooked following his long holiday

Mourinho has refuted suggestions Pogba might be undercooked following his long holiday

Paul Pogba (pictured in training on Thursday) is expected to start against Southampton 

Pogba, 23, has spent less than two weeks training at United's Carrington HQ after Euro 2016

The big question is who will drop out to accommodate Pogba. 

Assuming Mourinho sticks to the 4-2-3-1 his team used to beat Bournemouth 3-1 on Sunday, Ander Herrera or Marouane Fellaini look most vulnerable.

If he switches to 4-3-3, Wayne Rooney or Juan Mata suddenly become at risk though that looks less likely for Mourinho's first competitive game at Old Trafford as United manager.

'We are not going to make dramatic changes to fit in one player,' Mourinho said. 

'We are not going to change to five at the back because that's what Juventus did.

'We do change some details. Against Leicester, Michael Carrick played and against Bournemouth, Herrera.  They are different players and we played a different way.'

Old Trafford was flat on occasions under Louis van Gaal and David Moyes but Mourinho believes that can change.

 Mourinho has called on United's supporters to turn up the noise against Southampton 

 Mourinho has called on United's supporters to turn up the noise against Southampton 

The new United boss wants the fans to be his team's 12th man and inspire them to success

The new United boss wants the fans to be his team's 12th man and inspire them to success

'Not because of me, but coming from the team and the fans,' he said. 'Everything starts with the relationship between the team and the fans. 

'If at Old Trafford a couple of thousand away supporters can be more noisy than 70,000, then we are in trouble. 

'It means there is no connection between (the) team and supporters.

'If there is a connection, that factor being strong at home has to be back. But I think everything starts with that relationship. The way the team plays, the way it behaves, the mode of play. It includes the mental approach.

'If the fans feel that connection, they also want to 'play' and if the fans 'play', there is no chance for the opponent.'

Typically of Mourinho, he dismissed the concerns of Southampton manager Puel that United were trying to put pressure on their defender Jose Fonte to move to Old Trafford.

Mourinho dismissed Southampton concerns that United were trying to unsettle Jose Fonte

Mourinho dismissed Southampton concerns that United were trying to unsettle Jose Fonte

Asked about Fonte, Mourinho responded: 'I don't comment. I don't care. The market is open'

Asked about Fonte, Mourinho responded: 'I don't comment. I don't care. The market is open'

'I don't comment. I don't care (about Puel's statement). The market is open until August 31. I keep saying I am very happy with the players I have,' he said.

Mourinho also revealed he's been delighted with the way Zlatan Ibrahimovic has settled into life in England and expects the Swede to stay at Old Trafford for two seasons.  

'I see him happy,' Mourinho said. 'I ask every day about his wife, kids, integration, house, everything is fine, everybody is happy. 

'His motivation is really high so yes, I see him here, no doubts for the next two years.'

Mourinho is delighted with the way Zlatan Ibrahimovic has settled into life in England

Mourinho is delighted with the way Zlatan Ibrahimovic has settled into life in England

The United manager expects Ibrahimovic to stay at Old Trafford for the next two years

The United manager expects Ibrahimovic to stay at Old Trafford for the next two years