The Frenchman was a shock inclusion in the Premier League curtain raiser on Friday evening, as Mourinho opted to start him alongside new boy Fred and youngster Andreas Pereira in midfield. Pogba scored a second-minute penalty to send United on their way to a 2-1 victory.
And speaking after the clash, Mourinho admitted he asked the World Cup winner to play from the outset, despite only arriving back to Manchester earlier this week.
“[It] was not hard. The decision belonged to him because Andreas Pereira comes from Valencia bench as a winger to play number six,” he told reporters. “Fred had 10 days training [and] comes direct to Old Trafford [and] Ander Herrera [was] injured, I had only two options: Scott [McTominay] or Paul.
“But if I play Scott I play two kids and a new player, so I asked Paul and he put himself available for the team and he was very, very good for us.” Mourinho had been critical of his players and their summer breaks off the back of the World Cup.
But the Portuguese coach was in high spirits after Friday’s win, praising a host of stars.
“In my opinion it would be a good performance but with the circumstances I think very good because pre-season was very hard and we needed this fantastic spirit by the players to manage this performance and this result,” he added.
“Of course some fantastic performances, the boys with the proper pre-season were in a much better condition.
“Luke Shaw, Andreas Pereira, Eric Bailly, Matteo Darmian, these boys were comfortable to play 90 minutes but the others were fantastic.
“Marcus Rashford was in trouble but he played, Pogba was a monster, we thought maximum 60 minutes but he managed the 80 and then [Romelu] Lukaku and [Marouane] Fellaini available to help the team.
“Fantastic spirit and I think periods of very good football and in the periods where Leicester were stronger we played as a team and we coped well with the situation.
“I think good three points, good victory, tomorrow morning training and free Sunday deserved.”United next take on Brighton, where Mourinho will hope Pogba can continue his fine form.
Paul Pogba vows to keep giving his best for Manchester United. Paul Pogba says he will continue giving his best for fans, team-mates and “the people that trust me” in the wake of renewed speculation about his Manchester United future.
Two years after returning to Old Trafford from Juventus, the 25-year-old is said to be so unhappy that he informed executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward of his desire to leave.
Sources in Italy reported that United rejected an offer for Pogba from Barcelona of £45m plus Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes before the transfer window closed.
Pogba only returned to training at the start of the week after helping France to win the World Cup but he was thrust into the starting line-up .
“Of course it makes me proud, it makes me happy to wear this (armband) at a big club like Manchester United,” he said.
“Like I always say, I always give my best for the fans, for my team-mates, for the people that trust me.”
Put to Pogba that it looked like he was fully committed to United after a lot of things had been said about his position at the club over recent days, he added: “Well, like I said, I always give my best for the fans, for the team-mates and for the people that trust me.”
Pogba’s focus on trust seemed pointed, as did his post on Twitter shortly after the match.
“I’ll always give my best to the fans and my teammates no matter what’s going on,” he wrote, along with #pogfeelings.