Manchester United news: Have Jose Mourinho's tactical plans for Paul Pogba leaked?

A squad pecking order could be seen in the background of a photograph posted by Matilde Mourinho, the United manager's wife, on Twitter

Mark Critchley
Tuesday 19 July 2016 17:15 BST
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Mourinho posing in his club suit prior to United's flight to China
Mourinho posing in his club suit prior to United's flight to China (Twitter / Matilde Mourinho)

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Jose Mourinho’s tactical plans for Manchester United appear to have been partially leaked after his wife uploaded a photograph of him to social media.

Matilde Mourinho published a picture of her husband wearing his new club suit ahead of United’s flight to China for a pre-season tour.

In the background of the photograph, a tactics board with the legible names of some United players is visible.

The board appears to show half of a formation with players listed in seven positions.

David De Gea, unsurprisingly, appears to be the first-choice goalkeeper, while Luke Shaw and Chris Smalling get the nod over Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind at left-back and left-centre-back respectively.

Anthony Martial is preferred to Memphis Depay on the left-wing, while Wayne Rooney starts ahead of Juan Mata behind the striker.

A close-up of the tactics board
A close-up of the tactics board (Twitter / Matilde Mourinho)

Marouane Fellaini is named as a second-choice in centre midfield, but the name above his is illegible. Many fans on social media have excitedly suggested that it refers to Paul Pogba, United’s primary summer transfer target.

United's interest in Pogba is well-established, as is Mourinho's desire to sign a central midfielder which he can build his team around.

The names in the holding midfield and lone striker positions are also unclear, yet supporters have speculated that the three squiggles represent Michael Carrick, Marcus Rashford and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

United fans will get a better idea of how Mourinho's team may line up after Friday's pre-season friendly against Borussia Dortmund in Shanghai.

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