Paul Pogba has finally spoken out about his future amidst a controversy started by his agent this week.
The star was reported by his representative, Mino Raiola, to be unhappy at United during an interview with Italian outlet Tuttosport on Tuesday – the day United were knocked out of the Champions League.
Raiola said ‘It’s over for Paul Pogba at Manchester United … Paul is unhappy at Man Utd, he can’t manage to express himself like he wants … he needs to change team … the best solution for all parties is a transfer in the next window.’
The comments have incensed manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the club and the fans, with many arguing that the player should speak out and deny what his agent has said.
What the 27-year-old said on Instagram last night cannot be described as a denial of the former pizza chef’s statement, but it is certainly an attempt to put things straight.
‘I’ve always fought and will always fight for Man United, my teammates and the fans,’ Pogba said.
‘Bla bla is not important. The future is far, today is what matters and I am 1000% involved!
‘Always strong together.. all has been clear between the club and myself and that will never change.
‘When you don’t know what’s going on inside don’t talk #SpeakTheTruthOrRemainSilent
#united #talktothehand’
It is unclear whether Pogba’s carefully chosen words will be sufficient to pacify United or the fans. He does not say he loves the club, nor that he is happy at the club, nor that he wants to stay at the club. He does say ‘all has been clear between the club and myself’, but that could simply mean that the club knows he wants to leave.
In Pogba’s defence, he is a World Cup winner who wants to win Champions Leagues and challenge for the Ballon d’Or. There is nothing wrong with wanting to be the best, but to do that he has to play for a top team. When United went on a strong run after Bruno Fernandes’ arrival it was widely reported that he was considering staying because he was starting to believe that he could achieve those things at United. But the Red Devils then crashed out of the Europa League, did not bring in the likes of Jadon Sancho and Dayot Upamecano in the summer and started this season badly, unsettling him again.
On the other hand, Pogba’s refusal to silence his agent has made the situation a publicly humiliating circus and generally speaking his football, when actually fit enough to play, has hardly been good enough to warrant a place in United’s first team, let alone the Ballon d’Or. He is also seen by many to be lazy on the pitch.
If he is determined to leave, the Frenchman will have to continue putting in performances like yesterday’s to put himself in the shop window. That can only be good news for United and for everyone concerned.
Edinson Cavani has made quite an impact since his deadline day arrival at Old Trafford, but how much do you know about our other South American players, past and present? Take our quiz below to find out!