Pogba set for new deal, hints Ole
SOLSKJAER SAYS MIDFIELDER HAS NEXT COUPLE OF SEASONS AT OLD TRAFFORD
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer has dropped a fresh hint towards Paul Pogba signing a new United contract by insisting the midfielder will spend the ‘next couple of seasons’ at Old Trafford.
The 27-year-old spent almost six months on the sidelines this year following an ankle injury but returned to the United line up after the restart and played a key role in their qualification for the Champions League.
Pogba has now technically entered the final year of his deal at United, although the club do have the option of extending it by an additional year, and speculation continues to circulate his future. However,
Solskjaer has given fresh hope of a new contract for Pogba by insisting his immediate future very much remains as a United player.
“What Paul said, was said before. Since coming back from injury he has been a delight,” Solskjaer said.
“He has worked really hard, he is happy and he is playing well. We are going to see the best of Paul in the next couple of seasons, I’m sure. And I’m looking forward to seeing him grow with this team.
“He will have to be one of the leaders, one of the main figures, because he is just coming to his peak time as a footballer at 27. I am really looking forward to working with him.”
OLE Gunnar Solskjaer says Paul Pogba is making up for last time as he bids to win his third trophy with United.
Pogba celebrated the fourth anniversary of his £89million transfer to United by posting a haircut identical to the one he sported upon his resigning ahead of United’s trip to Germany for the latter stages of the Europa League.
The 27-year-old midfielder helped United to Europa League glory in 2017, scoring in the final against Ajax, and Solskjaer is optimistic about Pogba’s future at the club amid United’s attempts to tie him down on a new contract.
“I’ve answered numerous questions on Paul and we’re delighted he’s back playing.
“He’s fit, he’s enjoying his football, he’s got to make up for lost time and he’s doing that.
“He’s training extra, always a great personality around the place and hopefully we can see him lift this trophy as he has done before. He’s professional, a fantastic boy and we’re delighted we’ve got him in the team.”
The significance of United’s Europa League triumph three years ago was accentuated as they had never won the competition, had not secured qualification for the Champions League through the Premier League and there was added emotion in the week of the Manchester Arena attack.
No United supporters will be allowed inside the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne if they make it to the final on Friday week and the squad is staying in Germany rather than flying in and out, despite the sixday gap between the quarter-final with Copenhagen and possible semi-final with Sevilla or Wolves.
Solskjaer added: “I think [behind closed doors games] are strange and it’s not football as it should be.
“It’s changed a little bit. That little bit of passion and edge to the game is missing.
“The fans have to be there have to commend our players.
“They’ve handled the situation really well I know our fans can’t wait to get back and support.
“We will cross that bridge [of keeping players stimulated] when we get to it. We have plans in place,
He’s training extra, he’s a fantastic boy and we’re delighted we’ve got him Solskjaer on Pogba
for me it’s only about this game, can’t think too far ahead.
“It’s a knockout tournament and if you don’t perform you’re going home. If we go through a few days for the next game, at the moment we don’t have that problem. “We’ve travelled with a big squad. Phil [Jones], Axel [Tuanzebe], and Luke [Shaw] are the three we left behind.” Meanwhile, United have received a double injury boost as Diogo Dalot and Victor Lindelof were among the players to travel with the first-team squad to Cologne.
Full-back Dalot had missed the last-16 second leg win over LASK at Old Trafford with injury, but trained at Carrington on Saturday and was pictured with his team-mates on the plane to Germany. Another injury doubt, Lindelof trained on Saturday and was part of United’s squad which flew from Manchester Airport on Sunday morning.
However, there was an injury blow as Phil Jones did not travel to
Germany for the final tournament after being ruled out with a knee injury.
Among the confirmed squad members pictured on various players’ Instagram accounts were David De Gea, Bruno Fernandes and Odion Ighalo. Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic and Daniel James were also on the plane. Luke Shaw and Axel Tuanzebe, who have not been named in United’s 30-man squad for the rest of the Europa League campaign, did not travel as they continue their recoveries from injury at home. Shaw sustained an ankle injury in United’s draw with Southampton in the Premier League last month, while Tuanzebe has not figured since the season restarted.