Long Tyne for refund
Pogba set to start first game this year and Ole tells him: Prove yourself
NEWCASTLE have finally agreed to refund fans who bought tickets for the remaining nine matches this season.
The Magpies, criticised by supporter groups over their inaction, are the last Premier League club to announce details of how money can be reclaimed.
It comes 10 days after Sunday’s visitors Sheffield United said they would refund away fans who had tickets for the game.
In a statement, Toon “confirmed supporters who have either purchased tickets for any remaining matches during the
2019/20 season or have purchased a 2019/20 season ticket, will be able to obtain a refund”.
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has challenged Paul Pogba to show he can be a leader.
Pogba is fit to feature in his first match of 2020 as Manchester United travel to Tottenham tonight and boss Solskjaer wants the France midfielder to be a figurehead.
At 27, Pogba is at his peak and has the experience of winning trophies with United and Juventus, as well as the World Cup with France.
The Old Trafford boss (right) wants to see this reflected in his performances as United chase a Champions League place and the FA Cup and Europa League.
“I want the same from Paul as from all the others, just that they give their best,” the Norwegian said. “Paul is one of the best midfielders in the world so we expect him to gradually improve as he gets more gametime.
“I don’t know if it will be 45 minutes or 60 minutes this time but gradually we can build him up and get him back to his best.
“Paul has had a very good career, he’s a World Cup winner, and we want to see that leadership on the pitch.”
Solskjaer is confident Pogba, who made the last of his eight appearances for United this season on Boxing Day, can deliver.
He insists the £89.3million midfielder, fit again after an ankle problem, is focused on succeeding with United after trying to force a move away from Old Trafford last summer.
“Paul has had a difficult season with loads of injuries,” he said. “But I can see his mentality and focus, he’s now fit and demonstrating that he’s ready to play again and to prove himself.
“He’s always had quality.”
Pogba left Old Trafford in 2012 to join Juventus but returned in a big-money deal in 2016. He was expected to become one of the stars of the Premier League but has so far failed to deliver on his rich promise.
But United have shown they can still thrive even without
Pogba. They put together an 11match unbeaten run before the lockdown, including an impressive derby win over champs Manchester City in their last Premier League game on March 8.
Solskjaer believes United are making real progress and could even be title challengers next season now that the younger players in the squad have gained experience. I’m very happy with the squad,” he said. “If we go into next season with the same attitude and desire as we are showing now, I’m sure we can move up the table.
“I don’t want to start thinking too far ahead because Tottenham is on my mind at the moment and it’s a vital game for us.
“But I do feel we are moving in the right direction. To have given the likes of Mason Greenwood, Brandon Williams, Marcus Rashford, Aaron Wanbissaka, all those young boys, a year more, plus the impact Bruno Fernandes has made, means we can go and challenge. “I think the team needed change and we’ve made that change, a cultural shift that we all believe
in.
“I hope that we can show some of our best form towards the end of the season because it’s a big two months for us.
“If we can get everyone up to speed as quickly as we can, we have a good chance of challenging for trophies and the top-three positions.
“I think we have upwards.”
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