Man Utd: Pogba should ‘get the hell out’ says pundit
Back in 2008, Cristiano Ronaldo wanted to leave Manchester United. He’d just won the Premier League and Champions League and saw a move to Real Madrid as the perfect opportunity to further his development. Sir Alex Ferguson got to work, however, and managed to postpone the departure of his best player for another 12 months.
Ronaldo had refused to rule out a move away from Manchester United, much to the delight of Real Madrid.
The La Liga giants had made him their top transfer target having seen the Portugal international flourish at Old Trafford, propelling the Red Devils to silverware in the form of two Premier League titles and the Champions League crown.
Real were playing dirty, talking up Ronaldo in the press and unsettling the Portugal international.
But Ferguson got to work.
He flew to Lisbon to talk Ronaldo into staying for another 12 months, insisting another year of good service would be rewarded.
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But United boss Solskjaer deemed him too good to lose in the summer, despite Real Madrid and Juventus wanting to secure the player’s signature.
Unlike Ronaldo, though, it’s a decision that has backfired.
Mino Raiola’s attacks on the club are doing nothing helpful. They’re damaging and making the Red Devils look a laughing stock, all while showing how much power he has.
Solskjaer has acted nobly, refusing to engage in a war of words with the man who holds Pogba’s leash.
But it’s still damaging nonetheless.
It meant that United entered the biggest game of their season on Monday on a wave of negativity, with Raiola’s latest outburst casting a shadow.
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Man Utd star Paul Pogba wants to leave for Real Madrid or Juventus (Image: GETTY)
Fortunately for the club, they managed to beat Chelsea 2-0 courtesy of goals from Anthony Martial and Harry Maguire.
But Pogba has become a massive distraction. And Solskjaer’s failure to bite back, hard, has made him look weaker as a result.
United’s decision to talk the France international into staying put is one that has spectacularly backfired.
And everybody will be happier this summer if, as expected, the 26-year-old finally leaves.