Solskjaer previews Man Utd's trip to Leicester in Premier League
Manchester United football director John Murtough has shown “desperation” by offering Paul Pogba a club-record £400,000-a-week contract to stay at the club, according to Paul Ince. Pogba’s current contract is set to expire in June and United have put the offer of a new bumper deal on the table for the midfielder.
As it stands, Pogba will be able to negotiate with other clubs from January 1, which is a situation United are keen to avoid.
Pogba, who currently earns around £290,000 per week, has continually been linked with a move away from Old Trafford over the past year, with his agent Mino Raiola regularly stirring the pot in interviews.
Real Madrid are long-term admirers of the France international, while a move to Paris Saint-Germain or a return to Juventus have also been mooted.
The 28-year-old stayed put in the summer but his future has been a lingering question for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer over the past few months.
Pogba has strengthened his negotiating position with seven assists in seven Premier League games so far this season.
Pogba is yet to commit his future to United (Image: GETTY)
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"He was on the bench two weeks ago against Everton and then, all of a sudden, they are saying 'look, here you go, here is £400,000-a-week'.
"The reason why United are having to pay this is because two years ago, when he was getting down to his last two years, they should have signed him to a two, three or four-year contract, and it wouldn’t have been £400,000-a-week.”
Cristiano Ronaldo is United’s current highest-earner on £385,000-a-week, narrowly ahead of David de Gea, who pulls in £375,000 per week.
Next come new signings Jadon Sancho on £350,000 and Raphael Varane on £340,000 per week.
Edinson Cavani (£250,000), Marcus Rashford (£200,000), Harry Maguire (£189,000) and Bruno Fernandes (£180,000) make up the other top earners.