Solskjaer

By Joshua Walters

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly willing to appoint Paul Pogba as his captain for next season as a way to keep the player at Old Trafford.

The French World Cup winner has been linked with a move away from the club with Real Madrid a likely destination for the former Juventus midfielder.

With Antonio Valencia set to leave the club, United will be without a captain from the end of next month and Solskjaer is ready to appoint Pogba as the new captain for the side.

His deputy for much of the campaign has been 33-year-old Ashley Young, however with United focusing on another right-back this summer, Young is probably going to assume a second fiddle status next season. 

The move would flag a surprising turnaround in the space of nine months for Pogba after he was told by departed trainer Jose Mourinho that he cannot be the club’s captain again in September. 

After being stripped of the vice-captaincy role, the versatile midfielder won it back following the arrival of Solskjaer for whom his form has been fragmentary.

Pogba recorded 13 Premier League goals, but saw a collapse in form towards the end of the season which has resulted to criticism. 

As a major aspect of a colossal summer upgrade in the Spanish capital, Pogba has been tipped to link up with Zinedine Zidane at Real Madrid. 

Though Zinedine Zidane is said to be fond of the 2018 World Cup winner, it is reported that the Spanish giants have shrugged off United's gigantic asking price. 

As indicated by the Telegraph, the 26-year-old midfielder is prepared to force a move to the Spanish capital after a three-year spell at Old Trafford.

However, Real can't bear the cost of the £160m transfer fee as they believe an agitated Pogba requesting to leave can drive down United's requests.