Jose Mourinho has told Paul Pogba to focus on fighting for the Manchester United shirt when he makes his emotional return to Juventus on Wednesday evening.
Pogba left United back in 2012 to sign for Juve, before making a shock return to Old Trafford in what was a £89 million switch back to the Premier League in 2016.
And as the France World Cup winner prepares to return to Turin for the first time, Mourinho has urged him to focus on his United duties, while accepting that, like Cristiano Ronaldo's Old Trafford return, it will be an emotional moment for him.
He told MUTV: "I imagine yes [it will be a big deal for Pogba], in the same way Cristiano was professional - he did his job, fought for his team and gave everything he had to give.
"I can imagine with Paul it’s going to be the same – a little bit of emotion now, I think even at the beginning of the match, yes for sure.
"But then, it’s football and he’s wearing a United shirt with the United crest and he has to fight for [it]."
With group rivals Valencia and Young Boys facing off in the early kick-off, United can afford no further slip-ups in their pursuit of the last-16.
A blunt United attack mustered just two shots on target during their 1-0 defeat to Juve last month, with Mourinho hailing the Bianconeri's defence as "beautiful".
Max Allegri's back-line will again be marshalled by Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini and the Portuguese coach is well aware of the challenge facing his side.
“It’s not easy, it’s not easy," the ex-Real Madrid boss added. "They have the quality, the know-how, the confidence – they have absolutely everything. I analyse them in many different circumstances.
"Even with one player less [after Cristiano Ronaldo’s red card] against Valencia, they were very, very comfortable defensively.
"I’ve coached in Italy [at Inter Milan] and know the strength of the Italian teams and the Italian players in the way they approach matches defensively, so it’s not easy.
"But we have talented players in attack, we have creative players who can give them problems too.
"I think the basic thing for us is to go from a solid situation where we don’t make many mistakes behind because when you make mistakes behind, sometimes you concede goals and other times you lose confidence.”
TempleK
250
That is what it is supposed to be. I mean some of us had the privilege to undergo mentorship training by some of the toughest characters one could ever come across. It's all about determination to succeed and not look for excuse for failing. Don't blame the coach or his tactics rather show all through your input in the field that you are dependable.
Brightonen
235
How long it will be depends on it. If he likes the club as he says and wants to be a legend of United, he will stay independent of who the manager is. No current manager will be there for a lifetime. Going out because of the manager is an excuse for those who want to leave
badly
104
He's not a CAM or a CDM. He is a CM. HE has to improve all of his midfield attributes. Attacking wise he's great( but not regularly). Defensively, poor. I'd say, with any manager, this will be a problem. Pogba is still immature. Its all glitz and glamour for him at the moment.( Although, as I can see, he is maturing and curbing that, game by game). Jose is definitely trying to improve him and his qualities, with his "tough love" approach.