Jose Mourinho will not be grateful for the manner in which Tottenham swept his team aside in the Premier League on Jan.31, but he may eventually reflect that Mauricio Pochettino and his men did Manchester United a favour.
Pochettino ruthlessly proved that, against elite competition, Paul Pogba is best accompanied in the middle of the park by two midfielders, who also serve as necessary protection for the defence.
Here, Nemanja Matic -- assuming he is properly rested at some point -- and Ander Herrera are able to provide support. For Pogba, there is no shame in that.