<p class="title">Jose Mourinho has defended Paul Pogba after the Manchester United star was branded "disrespectful" by Paul Scholes.</p>.<p class="bodytext">United legend Scholes claimed Pogba's lacklustre display in Sunday's shock defeat against lowly West Bromwich Albion showed a lack of respect for Mourinho.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Scholes' criticism came amid growing speculation that Mourinho is ready to sell Pogba following the France midfielder's inconsistent form over the last two seasons.</p>.<p class="bodytext">But Pogba produced one of his better performances in United's 2-0 win over Bournemouth on Wednesday as he set up Romelu Lukaku for the second goal at Dean Court.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Asked to comment on Scholes' criticism of Pogba, Mourinho said: "I don't agree. I agree that it wasn't a good performance at all (against West Brom); with that, I agree."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Mourinho made seven changes from the West Brom loss as he axed some of his under-performing players and rested others for Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham.</p>.<p class="bodytext">His decision to keep Pogba in the starting line-up raised questions about the chances of the midfielder retaining his place at Wembley.</p>.<p class="bodytext">But Mourinho, who has dropped Pogba several times this season, offered an enthusiastic review of his man of the match display on the south coast.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Top performance. Top performance. Obviously, the performance against City was special, coming with two goals," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"But this performance was a very similar level. So top performance. He can do it."</p>.<p class="bodytext">United's return to winning ways was not enough to ease Mourinho's frustrations over Sunday's woeful loss to West Brom.</p>.<p class="bodytext">That result gifted the title to Manchester City, but Mourinho believes he can catch the champions next season.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"My face is still the face of last Sunday and not the face of somebody who just finished a game and a win," Mourinho said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I still live with the emotions of last Sunday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I know how to win titles. In case some of you guys don't know I won eight championships in four different countries, and three in this country.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I know why you win, I know why you don't win.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"OK, no doubts about City's quality, and that in any circumstances they would win this title because they are the better (team).</p>.<p class="bodytext">"But we could have, perfectly, I would say 10 more points than we have."</p>
<p class="title">Jose Mourinho has defended Paul Pogba after the Manchester United star was branded "disrespectful" by Paul Scholes.</p>.<p class="bodytext">United legend Scholes claimed Pogba's lacklustre display in Sunday's shock defeat against lowly West Bromwich Albion showed a lack of respect for Mourinho.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Scholes' criticism came amid growing speculation that Mourinho is ready to sell Pogba following the France midfielder's inconsistent form over the last two seasons.</p>.<p class="bodytext">But Pogba produced one of his better performances in United's 2-0 win over Bournemouth on Wednesday as he set up Romelu Lukaku for the second goal at Dean Court.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Asked to comment on Scholes' criticism of Pogba, Mourinho said: "I don't agree. I agree that it wasn't a good performance at all (against West Brom); with that, I agree."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Mourinho made seven changes from the West Brom loss as he axed some of his under-performing players and rested others for Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham.</p>.<p class="bodytext">His decision to keep Pogba in the starting line-up raised questions about the chances of the midfielder retaining his place at Wembley.</p>.<p class="bodytext">But Mourinho, who has dropped Pogba several times this season, offered an enthusiastic review of his man of the match display on the south coast.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Top performance. Top performance. Obviously, the performance against City was special, coming with two goals," he said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"But this performance was a very similar level. So top performance. He can do it."</p>.<p class="bodytext">United's return to winning ways was not enough to ease Mourinho's frustrations over Sunday's woeful loss to West Brom.</p>.<p class="bodytext">That result gifted the title to Manchester City, but Mourinho believes he can catch the champions next season.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"My face is still the face of last Sunday and not the face of somebody who just finished a game and a win," Mourinho said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I still live with the emotions of last Sunday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I know how to win titles. In case some of you guys don't know I won eight championships in four different countries, and three in this country.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I know why you win, I know why you don't win.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"OK, no doubts about City's quality, and that in any circumstances they would win this title because they are the better (team).</p>.<p class="bodytext">"But we could have, perfectly, I would say 10 more points than we have."</p>