Despite winning the Europa League with Manchester United in 2017 and the World Cup last summer, Paul Pogba has an uncertain future at Old Trafford.
Pogba is under contract at Old Trafford until 2021 yet Manchester United could part ways with the midfielder this summer after what has been described by fans as back to back disappointing seasons.
Although Pogba scored a team-leading 13 Premier League goals and added nine assists for Manchester United last term, the Frenchman scored more than half of his strikes from the penalty spot.
The midfielder scored the most goals of his Manchester United career in 2018-19. Yet, the debate of keeping him at the club rages on.
Pogba’s interest in staying Old Trafford is lacking and he recently made it clear he wants to leave. The combination of manager Jose Mourinho and the lack of supporter acceptance may have helped stir Pogba’s discontent.
But to blame the two solely would be foolish.
Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola had been active behind the scenes to work out a deal for the midfielder to leave the club. Raiola attempted to interest Manchester City and Pep Guardiola to sign Pogba without luck.
Raiola later tried to interest Barcelona in a deal for Pogba, which never came about.
The interesting aspect of Pogba’s disinterest and attitude at Old Trafford is it is the same behaviour he showed in 2012. It was at that time that Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson let him go to Juventus.
While Pogba found a home with world-class midfielders at Juventus — Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal, and Claudio Marchisio — he hasn’t had the same talent around him.
That is the main problem with Pogba as he has proven himself to need top-quality players around him to succeed.
Last season, Manchester United supporters voiced their opinions over the club retaining Pogba’s services, hoping he would leave this summer. After Pogba’s latest revelation of staying at Old Trafford, they have done it again.
The big question for Manchester United should be: are their problems due to Pogba or a lack of quality around the player?
Certainly, it can be argued Manchester United’s issues are a little of both. For one they have had a flawed transfer system that saw Alexis Sanchez arrive following Pogba’s £89 million signing from Juventus.
Manchester United have finished sixth twice and second once since Pogba’s arrival. His first season saw the Red Devils win the Europa League. However, that was as much down to Zlatan Ibrahimovic as it was Pogba.
Mourinho criticised Pogba’s commitment and defensive play. during their time together Manchester United could rid themselves of Pogba and spend money elsewhere. Yet, they are in no position to get much for him right now.
Manchester United expect the Frenchman in their team when the Premier League season starts against Chelsea on August 11th. With two years left on his contract, Pogba is heading into a fourth season at Old Trafford and it could make or break his career.
