Paul Pogba trains under the watchful eye of Jose Mourinho as he prepares for Manchester United recall in Champions League clash at Valencia
- Paul Pogba was an unused substitute in win over Fulham at the weekend
- Jose Mourinho praised him post-match and said he would start against Valencia
- Midfielder Pogba trained under Mourinho’s watchful eye on Tuesday morning
- The players are heading straight to Spain after the session at Carrington base
Paul Pogba was front and centre in Manchester United’s training session at Carrington on Tuesday as he prepares for a recall to Jose Mourinho’s starting XI.
The United boss talked up his star man at the weekend, and will be hoping he can fire the team to glory away at Valencia on Wednesday night.
Ahead of the team’s flight to Spain, United’s stars trained at Carrington, with Mourinho watching on closely from the touchline.
Paul Pogba looked focused on Tuesday morning as he trained ahead of a big European game
Pogba (right, speaking to Fred) is set to be recalled to the Manchester United starting line-up
Jose Mourinho kept a close eye on all of his players ahead of their flight to Valencia on Tuesday
Pogba wore personalised PP earrings for the session, and the midfielder seemed in high spirits
Pogba was an unused substitute in the 4-1 win over Fulham at the weekend, but after the game, Mourinho said: ‘He has the potential to be a fantastic player.
‘Against Valencia he is going to start and he is going to have a fantastic game and to show everyone how good he is.’
With their Champions League progression already secured, the pressure is off and Manchester United’s squad appeared full of festive joy as they were put through their paces.
It is set to be a busy day for Mourinho and his players, with a flight to Valencia scheduled just hours after their session at Carrington, before the boss attends a media conference this evening.
Manchester United’s squad are put through their paces shortly before their flight to Spain
Antonio Valencia, Ander Herrera, Eric Bailly, Romelu Lukaku and Marcos Rojo walk arm-in-arm
Pogba chats to his Manchester United team-mates ahead of the flight to Valencia on Tuesday
During the session, it was smiles all round as Antonio Valencia, Ander Herrera, Eric Bailly, Romelu Lukaku and Marcos Rojo walked arm-in-arm to the training pitches.
Pogba wore personalised PP earrings, while Marcus Rashford hitched a piggyback ride and Jesse Lingard chatted to Ashley Young.
Manager Mourinho was also spotted, wrapped up against the chill in Manchester with temperatures dropping close to freezing.
Marcus Rashford hitches a ride during Manchester United’s training session early on Tuesday
Fred, Rojo and Pogba share a laugh during a running drill at United’s Carrington base
The players were wrapped up warm against the freezing cold conditions in the North West
The players are right to be feeling positive about their Champions League exploits, having already secured their passage to the knockout stages.
Now, then, attention turns to trying to get top spot – with Juventus currently holding first place and a likely easier route to the quarter-finals.
United will have to beat Valencia at the Mestalla and hope that Cristiano Ronaldo and Juve slip up against Young Boys.
Mourinho praised Pogba at the weekend and is set to recall him to the starting line-up
Ashley Young (left) chats to Lingard, who is wearing a Champions League bib during training
Marouane Fellaini (right) was another of the United players wrapped up against the chill
