Jose Mourinho jokes about Paul Pogba's transfer value after Manchester United midfielder's derby display
Mourinho made reference to Pep Guardiola and Mino Raiola's comments on Pogba after the final whistle
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Your support makes all the difference.Jose Mourinho joked that Paul Pogba’s transfer value will only have increased after the Manchester United midfielder inspired his side to an stunning 3-2 comeback victory over rivals Manchester City.
City, the runaway Premier League leaders, would have been crowned champions with victory at the Etihad and appeared set for a coronation at half time after goals from Vincent Kompany and Ilkay Gundogan had established a 2-0 lead.
Two goals in the space of two minutes from Pogba in the opening stages of the second half saw Mourinho’s side pull level, however, before Chris Smalling postponed City’s celebrations with a volleyed winner.
Pogba’s game-changing display came just a day after his counterpart Pep Guardiola sensationally claimed that Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola offered the 25-year-old to City during the most recent transfer window.
Mourinho was reluctant to speak about Guardiola’s revelation both before and after United’s win, but when asked about Pogba’s display after the final whistle, he made reference to the story with a joke.
“If his agent was offering him to some clubs, the price has now gone up a lot,” he told Sky Sports.
In his post-match press conference, Mourinho was asked whether the revelation had inspired Pogba’s display.
“I was impressed [with Pogba’s performance] but I don’t know because I didn’t even speak with him about what Pep told and what Raiola told. I didn’t speak,” he said. “I’m not interested in if it was Pep or Mino right, I’m not interested in that.”
“I know that Paul played well against Swansea, I know he had a very good week of work especially Tuesday and Wednesday, two fantastic training sessions and this game comes in that sequence.
Mourinho added: “Of course, two goals for a midfield player in a big match like this one stays in the memory of the people, especially the fans. He needs that confidence because he knows, I know he had some performances not at the level of expectation we have from Paul. But he’s improving.
“Against Swansea I was happy and today him, Matic and Herrera, I think they were phenomenal for 90 minutes.”
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