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According to the French sports publication L’Equipe (via Daily Mail), Paul Pogba has told his Manchester United teammates that he wants a summer move away from Old Trafford.
What’s the word, then?
The report has claimed that, despite the permanent appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and the departure of Jose Mourinho, Pogba has made his mind up about his future and informed his comrades of his decision.
Former club Juventus are said to be interested in the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner and he is also open to a transfer to another European giant in Real Madrid.
The 26-year-old moved from the Old Lady to the Red Devils in a deal that shocked world football back in summer 2016, having transferred in the other direction just four years earlier and made a name for himself as a central midfielder on the continent.
Pogba’s exit would be good news for Jesse Lingard
As much as Ole will want to keep hold of his most important player in Pogba, if he wants to go, United shouldn’t stand in his way in the summer transfer window.
And while the exit of the France man may seem like bad news for the club when it happens, it would be good news for one of their more dispensable players.
Fellow homegrown talent Jesse Lingard currently struggles to put together a decent and consistent run of games at his boyhood club despite his overwhelming ability.
Pogba leaving would help to change the situation for his fellow 26-year-old, who quite clearly has the creative capabilities to step right into his shoes.
Lingard, valued at £36 million by Transfermarkt, has impressed in central attacking midfield before and should be ready to move to the role on a permanent basis as the Frenchman’s replacement from within.
Featuring in teams alongside and growing up with Pogba in the youth set-up at Man United, the Mancunian and England international knows his game inside out and exactly how to emulate his style.
The current attitude of United’s number six could be the cause of all of Solskjaer’s team’s mentality problems and getting rid of him would be a positive move towards steering the club in the right direction, allowing Lingard to become a deadly star at The Theatre of Dreams.