Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has revealed he has held ‘positive’ discussions with Paul Pogba over his Manchester United future, while also hinting that more players could follow Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane through the doors at Old Trafford this summer.
Pogba’s current contract is due to expire at the end of next season and the Red Devils must decide whether to reluctantly cash in on the 28-year-old midfielder or risk losing him on a free transfer in 12 months’ time.
Paris Saint-Germain have registered a strong interest in signing Pogba and reports emanating from France indicate that talks are already underway over a switch to the Parc des Princes, with United prepared to sell for a fee of £50million.
However, Solskjaer has maintained throughout that Pogba will be key if United are to close the gap on bitter rivals Manchester City and it appears he is confident of keeping hold of the World Cup winner.
The Norwegian hopes record signing Pogba – who returned to training at United’s camp in Scotland this week – is able to put the speculation to bed by ‘rising to the challenge’ and helping the club win major silverware this coming season.
‘I hope every player thinks this is the place to be to win trophies,’ Solskjaer said ahead of United’s final pre-season game against Everton.
‘When you sign for Manchester United, you have to rise to the challenge.
‘Paul has come back and he’s fresh and he’s always such a positive boy.
‘The talks I’ve had with him have all been positive.’
United brought an end to one of the longest transfer sagas in recent times as they finally reached a £73million agreement with Borussia Dortmund for England forward Sancho last month.
Real Madrid defender Varane looks set to follow the winger to the north west, subject to signing a contract and completing a medical, and Solskjaer has been delighted with the club’s business in the transfer market.
However, the 48-year-old refused to rule out the possibility that more players could be brought in to strengthen the squad before the transfer deadline.
‘Anything from now is a bonus. I have to say that, with the two signings we’ve got, we’ve strengthened where we wanted to strengthen,’ he added.
‘Let’s see what happens. You never know in football. Anything can happen, ins and outs.
‘Transfer-wise, we’ve done our business early. Raphael hasn’t done his medical yet but that should be okay. I’m very pleased with what we’ve done.’
Solskjaer feels United can ill afford to get off to a sluggish start this coming season given the strength of their rivals in the English top flight, with the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea also preparing to knock Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering City side off their perch.
‘I read somewhere that Pep said you can’t win the league in the first eight games, but you can lose the chance to win it – and that’s what happened to us last season,’ he went on.
‘I felt we lost too many points early on. From November 1 until the Leicester game in May, we only lost one league game. That was the consistency we want to see again.
‘I’d rather be an optimist and be wrong, than be a pessimist and be right. Of course these boys can the title, with a maximum effort, maximum season and maximum sacrifice.
‘Every day is a chance to get closer to our target – and that’s to come together as a team to give yourself a chance to win every game.
‘But every day is also a chance to step backwards, so it’s down to us as a coaching staff but also the players, to keep improving.’
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