Pog agent: I’m sorry he missed Real move
Ole admits he doesn’t know when want-away French star will finally return to action for Reds
PAUL POGBA’S agent Mino Raiola has opened up on his failed summer transfer to Real Madrid saying he is “sorry” the move never happened.
Pogba was tipped to join the Spanish giants after declaring his desire
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER still has no idea when Paul Pogba will return — amid fears the midfielder has played his last game for Manchester United.
Pogba has not turned out for United since September 30 due to an ankle injury which has sidelined the France World Cup winner for 17 games.
Some team-mates and staff believe Pogba, who remains determined to leave when the transfer window reopens in January, could already have played his last game for United.
Although Solskjaer insisted he will not be allowed to leave next month, the United boss was unable to say when the 26-year-old (rights) will be back playing again for the Reds.
“He’s training but he’s not been training with us for long,” said Solskjaer. “He’s training and that’s a step forward for us.
“The injury was something that really needed sorting, but I don’t think I should give you all the medical information. He’s now feeling good and getting better, so it’s worked.”
Asked if he understood why there was so much focus on Pogba, who has agitated for a move away from United for the past two summers, Solskjaer said: “Yeah, of course. It’s because he’s a fantastic player, a charismatic personality, and we’re happy that he’s here. He’s not getting sold in January.”
United fans have grown increasingly frustrated with Pogba’s prolonged absence, believing the midfielder is not pushing himself to get back as quickly as possible.
Footage emerged last weekend of him on the dance floor at his brother’s wedding while he has previously been seen playing basketball while still on the United injured list.
But Solskjaer (with Pogba, below) said: “When he comes back, he plays well, plays with a smile on his face and does what he did a year ago when I came here. Paul was fantastic, he’s been fantastic when he’s played for us. We know we’ve got one of the best players in the world when he’s playing well, when he gets fit. He needs time to get fit, of course, but he’ll make a difference for us.
“I hope that he’ll play before the end of the year. Let’s see how he feels. I’m not going to push him. We need him to be 100 per cent fit.”
There was intense speculation yesterday that United target Erling Haaland was on his way to Manchester for transfer talks, only for Solskjaer to shoot it down.
Red Bull Salzburg striker Haaland, who has 28 goals from 22 games this season, is wanted by
United, but Solskjaer played down the prospects of an immediate deal for the 19-yearold, who he managed at Molde in Norway. “He’s not coming to Manchester,” said the Norwegian. “I know the boy and his friends and he’s on a Christmas holiday. You can’t fly anywhere from Stavanger, you need to go via somewhere.”
On the prospect of strengthening his squad next month, Solskjaer said: “As a manager, you always hope you can do something but it’s not something that’s nailed on.
“It has to be the right player, the right age, the right fit, and for the right value. We’re always looking and the transfer window will be open.”
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JOSE MOURINHO certainly got the best out of Frank Lampard when he was in charge at Chelsea.
But now the pair face each other as managers, and the Portugese is no longer “boss” to his former player. Said Lampard: “Now I am an ex-player, on this side of the fence, I won’t be calling him boss. But that doesn’t take away from the respect I have for him.”