While Manchester United might have managed to enter the international break with a much-needed 3-1 win away at Everton, the situation surrounding Paul Pogba’s future at Old Trafford only continues to steal the headlines.
Falling down Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s pecking order and having to settle for a place among the substitutes, the World Cup-winner finds his United career at yet another crossroads and many struggle to see how he can break back into the Reds’ starting XI.
With the likes of Phil Neville left furious after Pogba was resigned to a place on the bench at Goodison Park, France boss Didier Deschamps has also chimed in with his feelings on Manchester United’s latest saga.
“He can’t be happy”
Watching Fred and Scott McTominay clearly cement their spot as Solskjaer’s duo to accompany January arrival and talisman Bruno Fernades at the heart of United’s midfield, it has been yet another hugely frustrating campaign for the 27-year-old.
Giving away yet another penalty in their 1-0 defeat against former rivals Arsenal earlier in the month, Pogba has managed to muster just a pair of starts for the Reds since that stunning 6-1 hammering at the hands of Spurs on home soil.
With a stacked midfield that also sees Donny van de Beek left frustrated on the Old Trafford bench, the World Cup-winner heads away on international duty this week and Les Blues Head Coach Didier Deschamps has announced his displeasure at the situation.
“I know Paul well and he knows the squad well. He finds himself in a situation with his club that he can’t be happy about, neither in terms of his playing time nor his position,” Deschamps told France Football.
“He’s not at his best, he’s had a string of injuries and Covid-19 has also affected him adversely. He needs to rediscover his rhythm.
“He did well in the matches that he was involved in last month and performed consistently despite his lack of rhythm. Nevertheless, we can’t say that he’s blossoming at club level.
“There’s no problem with me, but I also work hard to manage him. When a player is unhappy at club level, of course he is happy to play for France. He will tell me about how he’s feeling and as I know him very well, things will go in a positive direction. It’s also his responsibility to put in a big effort.”
Really desperate to find some level of form while away with the defending world champions this week, Pogba is expected to feature in an international triple-header that will see the Blues face off against Finland, Portugal and Sweden.
A change of scenery for Pogba?
While Manchester United might have triggered the one-year extension clause in Pogba’s contract last month, tying the midfielder to the club until June 2022, many around Old Trafford feel that the Frenchman’s future lays elsewhere.
Putting himself firmly at the heart of another controversy during the October international break, the former Juventus man was vocal about his long-standing desire to one day make the move to Spanish giants Real Madrid.
With it no secret that Pogba has always had one eye on a potential move to the European heavyweights, super-agent Mino Raiola has also failed to downplay the chances of his client securing a La Liga switch next summer.
In fact, with The Daily Mail reported last week that Manchester United would be open to the idea of selling Pogba for a fee in the region of £50mliion, almost half what they paid for him 2016. That news was also backed up by outlet AS suggesting over the weekend that Pogba remains high on the Los Blancos wishlist.
A player that has only continued to polarise opinion since making his Premier League return four years ago, is it time for Pogba to leave Old Trafford in order to kick-start his career?
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
