Manchester United held Liverpool to a goalless draw at Anfield on Monday evening and while the Red Devils put on a fine defensive display head coach Jose Mourinho revealed that he expected more from Paul Pogba.
Mourinho stated that Pogba did not carry out the duties expected from him and that he wanted more penetration from the record breaking summer signing.
“Had it been 1-0, it would have been finished,” Mourinho was quoted as saying by Goal [via Sky Sports after the game]. “Where Pogba was playing, I was expecting more penetration.”
Pogba has come under fire since joining United for his performances so far this season. The France international started against the Reds and played the full 90 minutes but failed to have a major impact on the game.
The Portuguese was however, impressed with his sides defending and stated that had United have taken the lead Liverpool would have struggled to get back into the game.
Mourinho also thought that United had the game under control and that they troubled Liverpool more than the home side troubled them.
United ended up becoming the second side to prevent Liverpool from scoring in a Premier League game this season.
“Had it been 1-0, it would have been finished,” Mourinho told Sky Sports. “Where Pogba was playing, I was expecting more penetration,” he added.
“Defensively we did really well, we should have had a little bit more. We had a big chance that I thought Zlatan was going to score.
“It was a very difficult game for us and for them. More difficult game for them than us. We started really well and were completely in control.”
United will take on Istanbul giants Fenerbahce next at Old Trafford on Thursday in their third Europa League group stage game.