Pogba hints that his future is away from United
French midfielder Paul Pogba appeared to cast doubt on his Manchester United future on Thursday, saying “who knows what will happen”.
Pogba, 25, became the world’s most expensive footballer in 2016 when he returned to United from Italian club Juventus in a €105 million (Dh498.7m) deal.
However, Pogba’s time at Old Trafford so far has not hit the heights many expected, with the midfielder’s relationship with manager Jose Mourinho central to his reported displeasure at the club.
Pogba’s starring role for France during their victorious World Cup campaign in Russia only served to further highlight his inconsistent club form, which has continued at the start of this season as United lost consecutive matches to Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur.
United were reported to have dismissed an approach from Barcelona for Pogba in the summer, and the midfielder has seemingly left the door open for a mid-season departure.
With his national team for Thursday night’s Uefa Nations League opener against Germany in Munich, Pogba refused to say whether he saw himself at United in the long-term.
“My future is currently in Manchester,” he told Sky Sports Germany. “I still have a contract, I’m playing there at the moment, but who knows what will happen in the near future.”
Pogba’s relationship with Mourinho appeared to hit an all-time low at the end of last season when the midfielder was dropped from the side.
While reports have claimed the pair have attempted to move forward, Pogba did little to suggest the air had completely cleared.
When asked if he had a tense relationship with Mourinho, Pogba appeared to nod his head before saying: “We have a coach-player relationship, it’s like that. One thing I can promise: I will always give it 100 per cent, regardless for which coach. I give it my all for United always. That’s all I can say.”
Pogba’s comments come the day after two prominent figures from Barcelona talked up his talents.
Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez described Pogba as an “elite player” who would “always be welcome” at Barca.
Barcelona vice-president, Jordi Mestre, then said: “What I read is that Pogba is unhappy at Manchester United and his agent, Mino Raiola, has been more vehement in efforts to sell him.
“But I have not read that he says he wants to sign for the club. Yes, he is a player of unquestionable quality in the eyes of all the world.”