Solskjaer warns Real off a move for Pogba
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer has reiterated Paul Pogba will not be going anywhere in the January transfer window – even if Real Madrid come knocking.
The France international continues to be linked with a move to the La Liga giants and Pogba, Zinedine Zidane and Madrid’s president Florentino Perez have spoken about a potential transfer.
United’s stance in the summer was that the midfielder would not be leaving and Solskjaer reiterated that he will not be going anywhere when the window reopens in January.
“I don’t listen to the president of Real Madrid,” Solskjaer said. “But Paul is working hard here and he is totally committed to Manchester United. We have seen that while he’s been injured. He has been working like crazy to get himself fit because he wants to play for us and he wants to help his team-mates.
“I am not worried now and I will never be worried in the future about Paul Pogba staying here.
“If it all kicks off again with Madrid in January then there will be no worries then either.
“If we have to live with the speculation again then we will handle it like we did in the summer.
“Paul is going nowhere. He is happy here when he’s playing.”
Pogba missed the 2-0 defeat to West Ham as he continues to recover from an injury he picked up in the draw against Southampton before the international break.
“You need a big personality to play for Man United,” said Solskjaer. “You need a certain kind of confidence and arrogance and you have to be self-assured enough to be yourself in both the good times and the bad times.
“Paul Pogba is all of those things. He is one of our big characters. Paul will walk out onto any pitch and be full of confidence – and that’s what I look for and what I demand from all of our players.
“It’s not misplaced arrogance with Paul.
“It’s about believing in himself. It’s about the respect he has for his team-mates and his opponents.”
Meanwhile, Solskjaer has reiterated his players need to do more following yesterday’s defeat, according to midfielder Scott McTominay.
“We know we have to do more on and off the ball and if you’re not doing the jobs on the pitch then you need to be told and it’s as simple as that,” McTominay said. “It’s up to us now and the leaders that we’ve got in the group to bring everybody together and keep our heads.
“It’s not the time to back down and say ‘It’s okay.’ Because it’s not okay, we need to do more on and off the pitch and as a group as well.”