Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
United backer gets shirty over Pog sale
MANCHESTER UNITED are under pressure from headline sponsor adidas to keep Paul Pogba – or replace him with a stellar signing.
The German kit supplier penned a mega, 10-year, £750million deal with United in 2015 to help with the global promotion of their famous three-stripe brand.
Part of the deal was for adidas to use United’s biggest stars to front advertising campaigns in key markets such as Asia, as well as Europe and the USA.
But adidas are concerned the loss of French World Cup winner Pogba to either Real Madrid or Juventus will strip United of the kind of iconic star to help drive their brand.
When adidas agreed their £75million-a-season deal, Wayne Rooney was the main man at Old Trafford and still a big name.
But, if Pogba leaves this summer and isn’t replaced, United will be bereft of any players of genuine world-wide status – apart, perhaps, from goalkeeper David de Gea, who is in contract dispute and may leave.
The 26-year-old midfielder – valued at £160million by United’s moneymen – is a global ambassador and elite athlete for adidas.
And, on a promotional visit to Japan with adidas a week ago, he suggested his time at Old Trafford might be coming to end.
Pogba, who rejoined United from Juventus in a club record £89m deal in 2016, has two years left on his contract.
United hold the option of a further year that could take him to June 2022, if activated, but, after being refused a move to Barcelona last summer, it is uncertain how long the club can continue to insist he stays.
That’s a concern for adidas in their deal with United.
Pogba will continue to be one of their chief brand ambassadors wherever he moves, but the kit supplier believe it would leave them missing the big name “face” at United that their huge outlay demands.
That has placed executive vicechairman Ed Woodward under increasing pressure to resolve Pogba’s future with him staying – or find the huge star name to replace him.