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Paul Pogba has been left on Manchester United’s bench for their decisive Champions League clash against RB Leipzig.
Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola, spoke on the eve of United’s crucial match, where they need a point to reach the knockout stages, describing the player as “unhappy” and insisting that he needed to leave the club in the transfer window of summer.
The French midfielder started and scored in a 3-1 victory at West Ham in the Premier League at the weekend and played in the reverse game when United won 5-0.
But he was named one of the substitutes for the last match of Group H.
Speaking before the game, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said: “We need a team that is flexible, a team with legs and we need experience because it’s a great game.
Solskjaer said BT sport his decision to leave Pogba on the bench had been “tactical” and he shrugged off suggestions that Raiola’s comments had disrupted his team’s preparation.
He said: “My decision is a tactical one. We made a team decision long before this game, as we decided to play Scott and Nemanja in midfield.
“You prepare for a game as if it were the last; we have Manchester City on Saturday, but we are focused on this one. The preparation is good.”
Pogba was part of Manchester United’s travel team to RB Leipzig
‘The worst moment for Manchester United’
2:43
Sky Sports News’ James Cooper has the latest from Manchester United following claims from Mino Raiola that Paul Pogba is unhappy at the club and has to leave in the summer.
James Cooper from Sky Sports News:
“This has not gone well at Manchester United, but it is what they expect from Paul Pogba and, even more so, from Mino Raiola.
“Whenever there is a great moment, an interesting dynamic, Mino appears. This time the moment is worse than ever.
“It’s been a tough season for Pogba, but against West Ham we saw the Paul Pogba everyone is talking about, the guy who can change a game.
“Mino Raiola says it’s over, but the fact is, there’s a contract that says it’s not over: in Pogba’s case, until the summer of 2022 after that extra year kicked in.
“You also have to take into account the economics of the situation. He has a huge salary and it would take a huge amount of money to get him out of Old Trafford. The economy will keep Pogba at Old Trafford for the time being as he performed over the past few years “.
Raiola: Pogba is not happy
Raiola says Pogba has no intention of extending his current contract at Man Utd, which expires in June 2022
Raiola spoke at length to Tuttosport before Manchester United’s trip to Germany, stating that Pogba needed a “change of scenery”.
“Paul is not happy at Man Utd, he can’t express himself how he wants and how people expect him to,” Raiola said.
“He needs to change teams, he needs a change of scenery. He has a contract that expires in a year and a half, in the summer of 2022, but the best solution for all parties is a transfer in the next (summer).” window.
“Otherwise, the Old Trafford club, with whom I have a great relationship, knows well that it would risk losing him in a free transfer, since it is not the intention of the player to extend the contract at the moment.
“If anyone can’t understand this then they know little or nothing about football. Anyway, they are free to blame myself if Paul leaves next summer.”
Pogba, who rejoined United from Juventus for £ 89 million in 2016, revealed his desire to play for Real Madrid, the La Liga giants, in October.
However, Raiola said that a return to Turin in the future should not be ruled out.
“Maybe Juventus could be his next destination. Why not? Among other things, the relationship with the club and his former teammates is excellent,” he said.
“In these times of COVID, not many can pay Paul, but the important thing is to want to sign him.”
Manchester United declined to comment when approached Sky Sports News.
Carra: Pogba is not worth it.
5:19
Jamie Carragher believes that Pogba will be fully aware of what his agent Raiola is saying and believes that United should get rid of him if possible.
Speaking in Monday night footballJamie Carragher called Pogba and Raiola “shameful” and urged Manchester United to move the midfielder as soon as possible.
“Get rid of it,” said the Sky sports pandit. “I’ve been saying this for 12 months. He is the most overrated player I have ever seen.
“I think they’re both a shame. Now we’ll all blame the agent and say, ‘Ask Pogba, what does he think?’
“Agents in this day and age are not just agents. They are parents, they are a best friend, they are a financial advisor, they book vacations, they go together.
“He will be Pogba’s best friend, so Pogba will be very aware of what will come out of his mouth, and if it weren’t, he should fire his agent. It’s very simple. That’s all that needs to happen.”
“With Cristiano Ronaldo at United, there was always talk that he was going to Real Madrid and almost everyone knew that he was going to go to Madrid at some point.
“Man United had to put up with it because he was worth it. Pogba is not worth it. Get rid of him.”
The problem for United, according to Carragher, will be finding a suitable suitor for the 27-year-old.
“There is no possibility in the world that Real Madrid or Barcelona buy it,” he added.
“I was already stunned today by Arsenal’s performance, but I’ll be stunned again if they come for him. I wouldn’t go near him.”
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