Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is “braced for a fresh move” by Real Madrid for Paul Pogba, but the Manchester United manager is adamant the Frenchman is staying put at Old Trafford.
The Daily Telegraph claims that Solskjaer has “no intention” of selling Pogba, a stance that has the full backing of the United board.
In recent weeks Pogba’s people, notably his agent Mino Raiola and his brother Mathias, have been telling all and sundry that the French World Cup winner’s interests would be best served by a move to Madrid.
Real, for their part, are apparently “fixated” upon bringing the midfielder to the Bernabeu.
But the Telegraph says that Solskjaer – whose side slumped to a 2-0 defeat away at West Ham on Sunday – has no concerns about “Pogba’s commitment or long-term future at Old Trafford”.
Crazy commitment
Pogba missed Sunday’s game because of injury but Solskjaer dismissed suggestions that the Frenchman’s absence from the United side will soon be permanent.
“I don’t listen to the president of Real Madrid [Florentino Pérez],” said Solskjaer, when asked about the Spanish giants’s interest.
“Paul is working hard here and he is totally committed to Manchester United. We have seen that while he’s been injured.
“He has been working like crazy to get himself fit because he wants to play for us and he wants to help his team-mates.”
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No worries
Asked if he feared Pogba’s head could be turned by a combination of Madrid and agent Raiola, Solskjaer said: “I am not worried now and I will never be worried in the future about Paul Pogba staying here.
“If it all kicks off with Madrid in January then there will be no worries then either. If we have to live with the speculation again then we will handle it like we did in the summer.
“Paul is going nowhere. He is happy here when he’s playing.”
Mourinho to Madrid?
Madrid’s desperation to prise Pogba from Old Trafford is only set to increase if they continue to struggle on the pitch, and there is growing speculation that Zinedine Zidane may be living on borrowed time at the Bernabeu.
The Daily Star claims that he “might not even be in charge by the time that the transfer window reopens in January”.
If he does get the sack, the man tipped to replace him as coach is Jose Mourinho, in which case, says the Star, Pogba will most definitely not move to Madrid.
Mourinho branded Pogba “a virus” shortly before he got the chop at Old Trafford last December and it’s inconceivable that the midfielder would want a reunion with the “Special One”.
Today’s back pages
Man Utd are ‘so bad it’s scary’
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