Paul Pogba Happier At Manchester United After Ralf Rangnick Discussions
As he enters the final four months of his contract, Manchester United is still planning for Paul Pogba to go in the summer.
Pogba, 28, has impressed after returning from a three-month layoff due to a thigh injury in early February, scoring his first Premier League goal against Burnley and producing his first Premier League assist since September in the 2-0 win over Brighton.
Despite a promising start under interim manager Ralf Rangnick, sources close to Pogba claim there is still no desire for the midfielder to commit to United at the eleventh hour, and his condition remains unchanged.
Prior to his return against Middlesbrough on February 4, Pogba and Rangnick had constructive chats, and the France international is said to be more upbeat at United.
Pogba was irritated by former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s decision to bring him in as a half-time substitute in a 5-0 thrashing by Liverpool, who led 4-0 at halftime. Pogba received a straight red card in the 60th minute, and his next league appearance came last week against Burnley.
Pogba’s relationship with the fans has improved since his return, and he was greeted with rapturous applause as he approached the tunnel following the defeat of Brighton.
United has not discussed a new deal with Pogba or his advisors, and the club is already intending to sign a midfielder this summer.
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United would have to play in the Champions League next season to have a realistic chance of keeping Pogba, and they are currently in the Premier League’s final qualification slot, despite their opponents having games in hand.
Even if United finished in the top four, they risk going without a trophy for the fifth year in a row, and Pogba turns 29 next month. His next contract would most likely be his final competitive contract.
Pogba’s decision is complicated by the fact that his eldest kid, Labile Shakur, is starting school next year and his wife Zulay works in design in Cheshire.
In January 2018, Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola, made an offer to Manchester City, and Pogba declared in the summer of 2019 that it was ‘time for a new challenge.’ Later that year, Raiola apologised for not orchestrating a transfer to Real Madrid.
Raiola said in December 2020 that Pogba’s time at United had come to an end and that he planned to orchestrate a transfer at the end of the season.
