The Athletic’s Manchester United correspondent Laurie Whitwell believes that Paul Pogba could leave the club this summer, per a Q&A following the club’s 5-0 victory over Club Brugge in the Europa League on Thursday evening.
What’s the word?
Pogba has struggled for minutes this season as he continues to battle an ankle injury.
Throughout the campaign, he has made just eight appearances in all competitions, with seven coming in the Premier League.
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He last played for United domestically on Boxing Day, managing 45 minutes in a 4-1 win over Newcastle United. His other appearance came in the penalty shootout victory over Rochdale in the EFL Cup.
And Whitwell replied to a comment claiming that Pogba could “ruin the budding chemistry” of the midfield, which featured Scott McTominay and Fred in the centre of the pitch and January signing Bruno Fernandes at No.10.
He said: “Yes. I think the Pogba ship is sailing this summer.”
A distraction
The France international has forever been a distraction since his move to United.
Pundits have routinely dug the midfielder out – Sky Sports’ Graeme Souness in particular – and one feels that his sale would draw a line under a turbulent period at the club.
The 26-year-old has helped them win the Europa League and the League Cup since a world-record return to the club from Juventus but they have struggled to be competitive in the Premier League.
They did finish second under Jose Mourinho but the Portuguese and the Frenchman repeatedly clashed.
It feels like he has been a sideshow perhaps through no fault of his own; moving him on in the summer makes sense for everybody.
Meanwhile, United face one big problem this season!