Solskjaer: Pogba may be my United captain
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed that Paul Pogba will be considered for the Manchester United captaincy next season, despite the France midfielder’s desire to quit Old Trafford.
Another United player who wants out, Romelu Lukaku, has also claimed that his future should become clearer over the course of the next week, as Solskjaer refused to rule out the Belgium striker leaving this summer, with Inter Milan his most likely destination.
Pogba impressed during a 45-minute second-half showing against Perth Glory at the Optus Stadium, on the first leg of United’s pre-season tour of Australia yesterday, when he set up the first goal for Marcus Rashford in a 2-0 win over the A-League side.
It was Pogba’s first appearance for United since he publicly declared his desire to leave and seek a “new challenge” last month. Pogba and his agent, Mino Raiola, are hoping to force through a move to Real Madrid, but neither the Spanish club nor fellow suitors Juventus have yet made a formal bid for the Frenchman and there are growing doubts over whether they can meet United’s valuation, which exceeds £160 million. Having already spelt out his wishes, Pogba insisted last night that there was “no need to talk”.
Solskjaer has insisted United are under no pressure to sell and, having talked last season about building his team around Pogba, the manager appears to be working on the basis of the midfielder remaining with the club.
“Yes,” Solskjaer said when asked if Pogba was under consideration for the captaincy role, although he was reluctant to discuss the matter further.
Ashley Young will retain the armband during pre-season, with Solskjaer indicating that he has yet to make a final decision on who will be his permanent captain. “We’ve got quite a few possibilities and when the season starts we’ll announce it,” he said.
While Pogba remains in limbo, the prospects of Lukaku moving on appeared to be growing amid talk of Juventus closing in on a deal for Argentina forward Mauro Icardi, whom Inter need to sell in order to free up cash to buy the United striker. “You guys will know something next week,” the striker told reporters after sitting out the friendly against the Glory with a small niggle picked up in training.
Solskjaer said Lukaku should be fit to face Leeds United at the Optus Stadium on Wednesday. Lukaku’s admission came as Inter issued a statement yesterday announcing that Icardi was leaving their training camp in Lugano by mutual consent and will take no part in the club’s pre-season tour of Asia.
Inter manager Antonio Conte’s hopes of signing Lukaku have hinged on the club being able to offload Icardi. Juventus are thought to be hoping to secure a deal for less than £45million.
United are holding out for around £90million for Lukaku, with the club keen to make a profit on their initial £75million outlay and Everton due an additional £5 million windfall if the player leaves Old Trafford this summer.
Inter have proposed an initial twoyear loan with an obligation to buy, but
United are only interested in a cash deal.
Solskjaer added to the uncertainty about Lukaku’s future by failing to offer assurances that the 26-year-old would still be a United player once the transfer window closes on Aug 8. Lukaku is believed to have held talks with Solskjaer this week and indicated he wants to go. “Let’s see when the season starts,” Solskjaer said when asked if he expected Lukaku to still be at the club by the time United face Chelsea at Old Trafford on Aug 11. “We’ve not had any bids we are considering.”
United’s new signings, Daniel James and Aaron Wan-Bissaka, made encouraging first performances for the club, albeit against a patched-up Glory side. James Garner scored United’s second late on, with Solskjaer making 11 changes at half-time. Luke Shaw came off late on with a tight hamstring.
Solskjaer was particularly pleased with a poacher’s finish from Rashford. “It was a pleasant goal because it is not a typical Marcus goal,” the manager said. “When he scores it’s usually a wonder goal and I’ve been on to him about adding those scrappy goals.”
Meanwhile, United have confirmed that first-team coach Mark Dempsey will return home after being discharged from hospital. Dempsey, 55, was taken to the Royal Perth Hospital on Friday after falling ill overnight. Dempsey’s wife, Susan, said her husband had collapsed with dehydration, exhaustion and sleep deprivation due to the training intensity and the time difference.