Yahoo Sports Jose Mourinho focuses on Manchester United's all-round performance despite Paul Pogba's winning display
Jose Mourinho chose to hail Manchester United’s all-round display rather than singling out individuals after a Paul Pogba-inspired Champions League win at Young Boys.
The midfielder captained United in Antonio Valencia’s absence and led by example, scoring twice and setting up Anthony Martial for United’s third.
Tough tests against Valencia and Juventus – Pogba’s former club – await in Group H but the Frenchman’s match-winning display ensured United made the best possible start.
However, when asked what he made of Pogba’s performance, Mourinho elected to focus on the overall display of his team.
Young Boys vs Manchester United player ratings
Young Boys vs Manchester United player ratings
1/11 David De Gea - 7 out of 10
Made two good saves from long range shots in the first half and wasn’t challenged in the second but a clean sheet is a clean sheet.
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2/11 Diogo Dalot - 7
Encouraging debut for the 19-year-old as he had urgency in attack using his pace to get down the right wing and deliver probing balls into the box. However, he was exposed at the back on more than pone occasion.
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3/11 Chris Smalling - 7
Did very well commanding the defence against a very quick counter attack from Young Boys, with Lindelof beside him he was able to weather a first half storm.
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4/11 Victor Lindelof - 6
Linked up with Smalling to solid effect, Young Boys fired a lot of balls into the box early in the first half and United did well to keep things level.
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5/11 Luke Shaw - 8
Won United the penalty that lead to the second goal with his presence on the left wing, he also made some crucial tackles at the back.
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6/11 Nemanja Matic - 7
Controlled the game for United when moving from defence to attack, was a steady presence in mid-field and did what he does.
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7/11 Paul Pogba - 9
Just pure class, United needed a leader to step up for them and he proved why he’s been given the Captain’s armband. Two first half goals put the dampener on Young Boys and United were able to maintain control.
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8/11 Fred - 6
Worked well with Pogba especially towards the latter stages of the first half, and looked threatening in attack.
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9/11 Anthony Martial - 7
Played well throughout justifying his start over Alexis Sanchez, he was always moving forward looking for balls in behind the defence, not all of them paid off but his goal in the second half secured United the points.
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10/11 Marcus Rashford 6
Offered United pace going forward but didn’t get into the right areas to make a lasting impact. Took a free kick in the second half but his shot looked timid and he looked a little short of confidence in front of goal.
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11/11 Romelu Lukaku - 6
Held the ball up well on the front line and could have had a goal in the last minute but just drifted offside.
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“I don’t think he can score goals every match,” the United manager said of Pogba, before comparing Pogba’s first to a moment from Saturday’s 2-1 win at Watford.
“The goal he scored today, the first goal is not different than the fantastic save [Ben] Foster had in the last match.
“If he starts arriving in possible scoring positions that can be a plus for the team so I’m happy with that.
“The team had good stability in midfield to allow him to go to these kind of positions and I’m happy with the good solid performance of the team more than any individual.”
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Mourinho added: “We knew we needed to win this match and to go the next three matches against Valencia and Juventus twice with three points and we did it.”
The United manager has not stopped short of praising Pogba after good performances in the past, describing him as “a monster” after last month’s win over Leicester City.
Yet Mourinho remained even-handed in his praise, even when asked about the eye-catching display by debutant right-back Diogo Dalot.
“I want to be also nice to Luke [Shaw, United’s left-back] because I think both play at the same level, they played very very well.
“Our danger came from both of them, they had fantastic movement, depth, crosses, assists. They were involved in the most dangerous actions, so both were very, very good.
“But Luke is here for a few years is playing since beginning of the season. For Diogo, first match after knee surgery, very good solid performance.
“Everybody could see the potential and he is a 19-year-old player who has more than 10 years to play for Manchester United.”
