OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER’S honeymoon as Manchester United manager is over, but what was it that gave it away? Was it the defeat to Arsenal on March 10, the Norwegian’s first defeat as boss of the Old Trafford out? Was it the FA Cup quarter-final loss to Wolves in the very next game? Or was it the fact much of Solskjaer’s international break was spent facing questions about Paul Pogba’s future?
Jose Mourinho barely got through a press conference during his time at United manager without providing at least one answer on speculation linking Pogba with a move away. At times, the French midfielder threatened to overshadow the whole club, feuding very publicly with Mourinho on more than one occasion. It was the sign of an unhappy dressing room and a restless player.
Only just handed the job on a permanent basis, Solskjaer is already facing a similar line of questioning. Recent speculation has been sparked by comments made by Pogba himself who called a potential move to Real Madrid a “dream.” Zinedine Zidane added fuel to the fire, confessing his admiration for the midfielder over the international break. “He has always said that, after Manchester, Madrid has always interested him,” said the Real Madrid manager. “So when his experience at Manchester ends, why not come here to Madrid?”
All this conjecture comes at a time when Pogba is finally delivering on a consistent basis for Man Utd. While the Frenchman has faced undue criticism since joining as the most expensive player in world football nearly three years ago, it’s true that until recently Pogba had failed to fulfil his full potential. Solskjaer, however, is getting the best out of the 26-year-old.
Recent chatter over Pogba’s future will be concerning to the Norwegian. After all, the Frenchman is a central figure at Old Trafford. But nonetheless, United mustn’t allow themselves to be drawn into a transfer saga this summer. This is an episode that needs a quick resolution otherwise real damage could be done.
Forget the Champions League race…
Paul Pogba has other things on his mind
( – @ZEZO_CARTOONS) pic.twitter.com/IZiNUKNDpu
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) April 1, 2019
Ideally, Solskjaer would be able to convince Pogba to stay, maybe even persuading the midfielder to sign a new contract just as he did with Anthony Martial at the end of January. However, if Pogba is intent on leaving Manchester United then he must be sold almost as soon as the transfer window opens this summer.
This is a club that already has enough on its plate. Solskjaer is expected to lead a minor revolution at Old Trafford this summer, with a central defender, a right back, a right winger and a central midfielder all on the shopping list. There simply isn’t any time to be wasted on Pogba. Either he is in, or he’s out. The decision should, essentially, be put to him.
As the old cliche goes, there is no point in keeping a player around who doesn’t truly want to be there, particularly when said player draws as much attention, rightly or wrongly, as Pogba. If United play hardball and keep the Frenchman against his will, it will come out. Mino Raiola would make sure of that. It wouldn’t just affect the club’s summer, but potentially the following season too.
Of course, with Ander Herrera already on the brink of signing for Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent at the end of the season, Solskjaer will surely find the prospect of losing two of his favoured midfield three somewhat daunting. But losing Pogba wouldn’t be as damaging as losing an entire summer to speculation over his future.
With Mourinho gone, Pogba has the chance to make Manchester United his club over the next few years, his peak years. Solskjaer’s team already revolves around the Frenchman and should he stay that will be accentuated as United further strengthen around him. But if Pogba wants to leave Solskjaer mustn’t waste too much time trying to change this mind.
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