Mourinho: I don’t know and I don’t care when Pogba returns

Jose Mourinho says he neither knows nor cares how long Paul Pogba will be sidelined because he is fully focused on Manchester United’s game against Huddersfield Town.

The France international has been forced to sit out the FA Cup fifth-round clash due to illness, with youngster Ethan Hamilton added to the squad in his place.

Pogba’s absence comes just 24 hours after Mourinho said he would start the match as he hit back at “lies” concerning the midfielder’s alleged unhappiness with life at Old Trafford.

Mourinho revealed he found out from United’s medical staff early on Saturday that Pogba would not be available but insists he will not concern himself with the 24-year-old’s absence until after the match.

“This morning, I was told by the doctor,” Mourinho told BT Sport when asked when he learned Pogba was ill.

Asked whether it is a serious problem, he replied: “I don’t know and honestly I don’t care. I focus just on the game since the moment I knew Paul cannot play.

“I will think about Paul after the match, not now.”

Pogba had earlier tweeted to confirm he had been advised to miss the match, saying: “Gutted I won’t be at Huddersfield but I need to get better.”

United, who are looking to respond to last week’s shock Premier League defeat to Newcastle United, beat Huddersfield 2-0 at Old Trafford on February 3 but lost the away meeting 2-1 back in October.