ANTS IN HIS PANTS
Pogba... Shaw ... now another young United star faces an uncertain future
ANTHONY MARTIAL could join Luke Shaw in quitting Manchester United in the summer.
Reds boss Jose Mourinho is under fire for his treatment of England left-back Shaw, with claims the 22-year-old is being forced out.
And Martial’s agent, Philippe Lamboley, has refused to confirm the France forward will be at Old Trafford next season.
Lamboley said: “Will he stay in Manchester in the summer? At the moment, I can’t say anything else about it.”
Martial’s arrival in 2015 was hailed as a huge coup, United flexing their financial muscle to knock Spurs and Arsenal out of the reckoning by agreeing a £36million fee, rising to £57m with bonuses.
Martial has scored 36 times and provided 27 assists in 131 appearances, but has made only 16 Premier League starts this season, which has reignited interest from rival clubs.
Of Martial’s future, Lamboley would only add: “His goal is to win the FA Cup and to cement with Manchester United the second place in the Premier League.”
Shaw’s United team-mate Ashley Young believes the defender can become one of the elite but said: “It’s like all players, you just have to get your head down and work.
“He’s a fantastic player. I feel he can be one of the best in the world. As I say, you’ve just got to work hard.”
Paul Pogba is another United player whose future has provoked debate. France coach Didier Deschamps believes the 25-year-old “can’t be happy” being out of favour. He was an unused substitute in the FA Cup win over Brighton on Saturday.
And he has told how he would welcome the chance to play alongside Paris Saint-Germain’s Brazil superstar Neymar.
In comments that will not have gone unnoticed by the wealthy French club, Pogba said: “Neymar, I like him. I love to see him playing, with his technique and his ability. It’s a different style.
“When you say the word Neymar around the world, everyone knows who he is and what he does. Therefore if I could play with him one day it would be a pleasure.”
Pogba also revealed Manchester City’s Kevin de Bruyne – revelling in the freedom he is afforded by Pep Guardiola – is among players he studies in order to improve. He said: “When I was smaller I looked up to Zinedine Zidane, Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho and Ronaldo. I had videos of Maradona, Pele, Chris Waddle, Kaka. I wanted to have all the virtues of those players.
“Now I look more at players like Andres Iniesta, Yaya Toure, Kevin de Bruyne and Luka Modric. I look at them to try to be better.”