Man Utd scrapped Pogba exit plan after strong push to land huge fee

Paul Pogba Man Utd TEAMtalk

Manchester United performed a U-turn on a firm plan to axe Paul Pogba prior to football’s recent shutdown, according to a report.

Pogba signed for United for a then-world-record fee in 2016 but he has largely failed to showcase his true talent.

Indeed, this season, two separate foot injuries have wrecked his campaign. He only made eight appearances prior to the shutdown of the sport across Europe.

As such, L’Equipe (via Sport Witness) claims United grew sick of the Frenchman’s injury problems and had a strong desire to sell up.

The newspaper says the Red Devils would have accepted offers around the €100million mark for the midfielder.

However, United changed their stance in the days before the coronavirus lockdown, with Pogba regaining fitness.

What’s more, their position has not changed since; United have counted on Pogba’s contributions, including his role in Harry Maguire’s winning goal in Saturday’s FA Cup quarter-final.

Pogba has also shown promise of an exciting partnership with January arrival Bruno Fernandes.

A source told L’Equipe: “(Ole Gunnar) Solskjaer doesn’t want to let go of Pogba. He enjoys his technical relationship with Bruno Fernandes, who arrived this winter.

 

“At the moment, the only element that would allow a transfer would be that a club interested in the French offers a player who interests United in the deal.”

As well as reaching the FA Cup semi-finals, United are hunting Champions League football next season.

Solskjaer‘s men sit sixth in the Premier League table, five points off fourth-placed Chelsea.

However, a fifth-placed finish may be enough if Manchester City remain banned from Europe for the next two campaigns.

POGBA ONE OF MANY MAN UTD STARS IMPROVING

Anthony Martial hat-trick Man Utd TEAMtalk

In other news, Solskjaer has outlined how striker Anthony Martial has improved this season.

After several seasons of inconsistency, Martial has shown promise this term. Indeed, his hat-trick earned United a 3-0 victory over Sheffield United last week.

And Solskjaer says more time in the gym is helping the Frenchman in his bid to improve.

January arrival Odion Ighalo is also having an important effect, the manager claims.

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