Pogba Expresses Desire To Leave Man United

By Max Wise

Paul Pogba has openly declared his intention of leaving Manchester United this summer, just three seasons after rejoining from Juventus.

The French world cup winner has been heavily linked with a move to either Juventus or Real Madrid in the off-season and his latest pronouncement has put his long-term future at Old Trafford in doubt.

Pogba came under intense criticism after a mixed season at Manchester United that began with a fractured relationship with former manager Jose Mourinho before the appointment of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as interim manager saw an improvement in his performances.

The 26-year-old’s output tailed off again towards the end of the season as Manchester United finished the Premier League in sixth place, missing out on a Champions League position next season.

Despite his up-and-down season, Pogba finished the campaign as Manchester United’s top scorer with 13 league goals and nine assists; good enough to earn him a place in the PFA Team of the year.

Speaking to reporters in Tokyo, where he has been on a promotional tour with his sponsor Adidas, Pogba said: “Like you said, there is a lot of talking and a lot of thinking as well.

“For me I have been for three years in Manchester and it’s been great - some good moments and some bad moments, like everybody, everywhere else.

“After this season, and after everything that happened this season, with my season being my best season as well... I think for me it could be a good time to have a new challenge somewhere else. I am thinking of this - to have a new challenge somewhere else.”

Pogba initially joined Manchester United as a teenager in 2009 from Le Havre but left for Italian giants Juventus three years later after he refused to sign a new contract.

The French world-cup winner spent four successful seasons in Turin before rejoining Manchester United for a then-world record fee of £89m in the summer of 2016.