United boss anoints Pogba
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer insists star Paul Pogba will be a contender for Manchester United’s captaincy after the French World Cup winner overcame a turbulent week and helped a lacklustre United post a 2-0 friendly victory over Perth Glory on Saturday.
After being linked with a move to Real Madrid and Juventus, Pogba’s uncertain future at Old Trafford has overshadowed United’s preseason tour of Australia.
Following Antonio Valencia’s exit, Solskjaer is looking for a new captain and has thrown Pogba’s name into the ring.
Ashley Young and Juan Mata skippered 45 minutes each against Perth.
When asked if Pogba was under consideration, the United boss said: “Yep. We’ve got quite a few possibilities there and when the season starts we’ll announce it.
“Of course we’ll have a good assessment and see how preseason goes.”
An under-pressure United initially struggled against a weakened Perth Glory, who won Australia’s A-league Premiers Plate last season.
After a scoreless opening half, Solskjaer changed his entire line-up and inserted several stars, including Pogba.
United finally cracked Perth’s tenacious defence in the 60th minute when Pogba showcased his sublime touch with a deft backheel to forward Marcus Rashford, who struck it past goalkeeper Liam Reddy.
James Garner, 18, sealed the result with a long-range strike in the dying stages.
Solskjaer was optimistic about his side’s performance despite the modest scoreline. “We are happy. It was all about continuing the good fitness work they’ve done,” he said.
“We played a very well organised team.
“We did enough in the end. It was professional work from everyone.”
Suffering from a lack of numbers for the friendly, Perth fielded a youthful team including two 15-year-olds.
Solskjaer rested most of his guns in the first half, including Pogba, Rashford and regular goalkeeper David de Gea.
United, in their new gold away strip, controlled a subdued first 45 minutes with speedy winger Daniel James eye-catching on the left flank.
Teenage midfielder Tahith Chong worked his way into the game after a slow start but could not break through.
The Dutchman was on the end of Perth’s physicality when he received a strong bump from Glory captain Shane Lowry that looked more reminiscent of the Australian rules football match played on the same Perth Stadium ground the night before.
Solskjaer said defender Luke Shaw suffered a tight hamstring and came off late in the game as a precautionary measure.
Romelu Lukaku, reportedly looking to secure a move to Inter Milan, was rested but is expected to play on Wednesday against Leeds United to end United’s 10-day Australian tour before preseason games in Singapore and China.
Meanwhile, Manchester United coach Mark Dempsey will fly home after he fell ill and was admitted to hospital on Friday.