Pogba, 24, was left on the bench by Mourinho for the third time in their last four games, as academy graduate Scott McTominay and Ander Herrera started on either side of holding midfielder Nemanja Matic.
The Red Devils manager conceded he was looking for a disciplined midfield performance to nullify the creativity of Los Rojiblancos playmaker Ever Banega which swayed his decision in recalling Pogba back in his starting XI.
"I started with Ander, and with Ander in the squad, I think a fantastic player like [Ever] Banega wasn't [a fantastic player tonight] because he didn't have the space to be the fantastic Banega that the world admires.
"Paul replaced Ander, he tried to bring to the game the same kind of qualities, plus his security with the ball. Of course, he lost a couple of possessions, but he gave us also some stability because we had a good percentage of ball possession.
"I think Paul had responsibilities on that, and I'm also happy with [Nemanja] Matic, so I think the three midfield players had a good control, and Paul was part of it."