Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits he’s hopeful Paul Pogba will commit his future to the club by signing a new contract.
The Frenchman effectively has two years to run on his deal at Old Trafford with the club expected to trigger a 12-month extension to his current contract next January.
Pogba has twice requested to leave the club since rejoining United from Juventus in 2016 and the last of those requests came at a club event last summer, where he admitted he desired a ‘new challenge’.
However, the pandemic has hindered Pogba’s chances of getting a move elsewhere with suitors like Juventus and Real Madrid unable to meet the Frenchman’s wage demands, nevermind United’s £100million valuation.
But Pogba is also happier at the club than at any point in the last three years and Solskjaer says he’s hopeful he will agree a new deal.
‘I can’t comment on discussions between player and the club but. of course, we want to keep the best players around the club,’ said Solskjaer.
‘We want to build a squad for the future and Scott [McTominay] and Nemanja [Matic] are a similar position but at different stages in their careers. One at the start, one really experienced one.
‘We also need players in the mid-range group. Hopefully we can do something. I know that since Paul’s come back he’s looking better and better. He’s enjoying his football and let’s see where it takes us.’
Pogba has been in fine form since returning from a four-month injury lay-off.
The Frenchman missed four months in the first half of the campaign following surgery in September and he lasted just two matches on his return in December before needing surgery again.
From that perspective, the break in play has been a good opportunity for United to get Pogba and Marcus Rashford back from long-term injuries and the Red Devils are the league’s in-form side as they’re on a 16-match unbeaten run in all competitions.
Solskjaer’s side take on relegation-threatened Aston Villa at Villa Park on Thursday, where they’ll be looking to capitalise on dropped points from Leicester and Wolves.
