Jose Mourinho has explained the omission of Paul Pogba from his starting line-up against Sevilla.

Pogba, who missed the weekend’s win at Huddersfield through illness, returned to training this week and was expected to start at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan in their Champions League last 16 clash.

Mourinho though instead chose Scott McTominay, Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic in a midfield three.

Asked ahead of kick-off about his decision, Mourinho told BT Sport: “You always go to the one who doesn’t start. Scott McTominay is working hard every day, he is feeling good and strong.

“He played the last match for 90 minutes and Paul last Saturday wasn’t able to play, and this is the kind of game where I think a player must feel 100 percent.

“Paul gave us some doubts by not playing last Saturday, by his own decision, he was not feeling good.”

Jose was then pushed further on Pogba and retorted: “Three questions on Paul, you have no others? Ask another one.”

The omission of Pogba will fuel speculation over the midfielder’s future. Mourinho last week labeled talk that the pair’s relationship had broken down as “lies”.