The future of Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has returned as the single biggest issue at Old Trafford. After announcing the club had extended the midfielder’s deal earlier this season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would have hoped to avoid any more questions about a potential exit.
The Frenchman endured a difficult start to the season, with the effects of testing positive for coronavirus impacting his ability to influence matches.
However, in United’s most recent Premier League win, a 3-1 victory at West Ham, Pogba looked close to his best, driving the side forward and netting a stunning goal in the process.
But just 48 hours after that goal, Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola put him back in the headlines, claiming his time with the club was “over”.
The 27-year-old has 18-months left on his deal at United, but Raiola suggested he has no intention of extending that further and will instead look to leave in 2021.
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Mino Raiola claims Paul Pogba's time at Manchester United is "over" (Image: GETTY)
Pogba was part of the travelling party for United’s crucial Champions League tie with RB Leipzig, but only made the bench for what Solsjaer described as ‘tactical reasons’.
He would come off the bench with Solskjaer’s men 3-0 down and helped them back to 3-2, but defeat would ultimately see them relegated to the Europa League.
With Pogba seemingly unwilling to commit to the cause in Manchester, some fans have now been asking him to come out of the first-team squad altogether.
The Athletic claim however, that despite increasing fan pressure, there is no chance that he will be relegated to the under-23s.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer refused to rule out an exit for Pogba (Image: GETTY)
Regarldess of the issues of the pitch, his qualities - which have been evident in the last two matches - are too important to totally ignore, according to the report.
It is understood that Solskjaer has held private talks with the player and while it appears unlikely he will leave next month, the United boss failed to rule that out.
Asked about Pogba’s future following the defeat in Germany, he said: "You have to ask Paul if he is happy or not, I won't speak for him.
"He's working hard in training and he just needs to focus on his performances.
"Now is not the time to discuss transfer targets or ins and outs at the club."