Paul Pogba’s escape! Juventus return in January on the cards after Manchester United flop’s heart-to-heart with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
Paul Pogba has held a heart-to-heart talk with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but remains on course for the Manchester United exit.
Sportsmail understands Juventus, the club Pogba left to rejoin United in 2016, are emerging as a genuine option for the World Cup winner amid growing uncertainty over his future at Old Trafford.
Pogba was left out of the starting XI that faced Red Bull Leipzig on Tuesday night and it is understood that the player and his manager have had a forthright but constructive conversation about the decision to leave the midfielder on the bench in what was their biggest match of the season.
Paul Pogba is on course for a Manchester United exit and Juventus could make a move for him
Solskjaer’s team selection did not have the desired effect as United slumped to a 3-0 deficit inside 70 minutes.
But Pogba, who was brought on in the 61st minute, had a major hand in the United’s failed comeback – playing a key role in his side winning a penalty that Bruno Fernandes converted before scoring the team’s second to set-up a frantic finish.
The World Cup winner’s impact on the game has raised inevitable questions about Solsjkaer’s decision to start Pogba as a substitute.
Pogba remains committed to United and maintains a professional relationship with Solskjaer.
But his agent Mino Raiola’s controversial comments on Monday, in which he insisted the 27-year-old must leave Old Trafford, stands as a strong indicator that the player himself would be open to leaving.
Juventus are interested in taking Pogba back to Turin but United’s valuation of the player will be the key towards whether a deal is possible, particularly in light of the financial impact caused by the Covid pandemic.
United effectively have two transfer windows to prevent Pogba from leaving for nothing when his contract expires in 2022, meaning a January exit is not being ruled out.
But United are keen to recoup as much of the £89million they forked out to re-sign Pogba, particularly given his commercial value to the club.
However, with his contract running down the prospect of losing Pogba for nothing for a second time is a scenario the club will look to avoid.
Source link