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Paul Pogba has told Manchester United team-mates that he will not back down in his battle of wills with Jose Mourinho – and is even prepared to state that he no longer wishes to play for the Old Trafford manager should their conflict further escalate.

The France international has twice provoked widespread criticism of Mourinho's management in what the Portuguese this week described as “his appearances in the famous mixed zone”.

Pogba's insubordination in arguing that United's tactics should be altered to “attack, attack, attack” following last weekend's home draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers preceded an abrasive team meeting on Tuesday.

With United's senior squad gathered together, Mourinho informed Pogba – whom he had entrusted with the captain's armband at the beginning of this season – that he would never lead United out again. Mourinho explained publicly his actions in his Friday press conference.

(Image: AFP)

“I explain very detailed to the people that has to know in detail, which is the squad and especially Paul,” he said.

“So Paul and the other players in the squad know in detail the reason why myself and my coaching staff we decide to do that. And I always analyse a player as a player.

"When a player is captain, I analyse the player by the player perspective, but also by the captain perspective. And after weeks of analysing and changing opinions with my coaching staff we made the decision that from now Paul is just a player and not a captain.”

According to club sources, Pogba took his punishment with characteristic bravado. The club's record signing is said to have told team-mates that he was prepared “to go all the way” if the situation required. If necessary, he is ready to declare that he does not want to play for Mourinho.

(Image: REUTERS)

With the Frenchman rested on Tuesday evening, United were eliminated from the League Cup by Derby County in a penalty shoot-out. Mourinho reshaped his team for Saturday's Premier League loss at West Ham United, playing Pogba in his preferred position on the left of a three-man midfield before substituting him in the 71st minute with the score at 2-0.

United's 3-5-2 formation featured Scott McTominay at centre back, a position the young Scotland international had played in training, but never in a senior match before. Mourinho also left club captain Antonio Valencia and joint highest earner Alexis Sanchez out of the matchday at the London Stadium.

Mourinho praised both McTominay and the home side's Scottish substitute Robert Snodgrass following United's loss: “[McTominay] was the best. He had a fantastic attitude. He’s aggressive, he’s brave and he had something that we thought was important for us, which is quality on the ball.

(Image: Sky Sports)

"He had quality on the ball, he knows how to play football, he’s technically good, he can bring the ball into offensive areas. So really happy with the job the kid did.

“I have no complaints with the players’ attitude. I can have complaints with some quality, and I can have complaints with some mental approach in certain duels where you could see, for example, Snodgrass coming to the pitch with an incredible attitude that he wants to eat the ball and he wants to eat everyone around him.

"You need a little bit of that - I don’t know if it’s the right word in English - humility.”

(Image: REUTERS)

Pogba has failed to provide full value for the initial €105million transfer fee with which United recruited him in 2016. His relationship with Mourinho has been tested by a series of incidents, including a serious hamstring tear early last season which United's staff believed was caused by the player's use of personal fitness trainers.

Later in that 2017-18 campaign both the player and his representative Mino Raiola wanted Mourinho to change his tactical system and relieve Pogba of defensive duties with the Dutch-Italian subsequently offering his client's services to several leading European clubs. Those included United's principal rivals Manchester City .