Saturday 24 February 2018 07:53, UK
Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte says Paul Pogba is a "fantastic" player and his Manchester United coaches need to "find the right way to manage him".
Pogba's form was recently criticised by his manager Jose Mourinho, who also denied reports their relationship has become strained while defending the position in which he plays the midfielder.
Pogba was not in the startling eleven against Huddersfield and Sevilla after being hauled off against Newcastle the week before, but Mourinho has praised the Frenchman's professionalism in handling the situation.
Conte managed Pogba at Juventus and the pair won two Serie A titles together, as they prepare to clash when the Blues travel to United live on Sky Sports on Super Sunday.
"We are talking about a fantastic player. My expectation is to see him on the pitch," Conte said.
"Every coach has to find the right way to manage him. Pogba is showing at United he is a top player."
Conte and Mourinho's have aimed several barbs at each other during the season and they failed to shake hands at the end of Chelsea's 1-0 win over United at Stamford Bridge earlier in the campaign.
Mourinho has indicated he is willing to bury the hatchet and Conte said: "In the past both said things. For me it's ok. I'm not interested to speak about this topic."
However, the Italian refused to confirm whether he would shake his counterpart's hand, instead insisting: "I'm not interested in this."
