Mourinho confirms Pogba is no longer United's vice-captain

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Paul Pogba will no longer serve as the club's vice-captain.

Speaking after the shocking League Cup defeat to second-tier side Derby County on Tuesday, Mourinho addressed reports that originated earlier in the day, suggesting the two had a falling out.

"The only truth is that I made the decision of Pogba not to be the second-captain anymore. No fall out," the Portuguese manager told reporters. "The person who made the decision to be second-captain was also me. Just one decision which I don't have to explain."

It was reported by ESPN's Rob Dawson prior to the match that Mourinho informed both the Frenchman and his teammates of his decision at the club's Carrington training ground. Pogba was not included in the squad for the shootout loss at Old Trafford.

Mourinho made the move to exert his authority at the club and remind Pogba of his place in the team, according to The Times' Paul Hirst.

Pogba apparently angered Mourinho when he appeared to call out the manager's conservative approach at Old Trafford.

"We are at home and we should play much better against Wolves. We are here to attack," Pogba said after a 1-1 draw with the newly promoted side. "When we play like (that) it's easier for us."

Pogba captained United on three occasions this season, all when club captain Antonio Valencia was absent.

This is just the latest twist in the standoff between player and manager. Pogba caused controversy earlier in the season when he suggested he'd get fined if he was honest about his situation at the club. That came after Mourinho's veiled comments about Pogba's apparent lack of focus at club level.

Rumors of an exit picked up steam again in September when Pogba refused to commit his immediate future to United.

"Currently, I play there, but who knows what will happen in the next couple of months," he said at the time.