Manchester United star Paul Pogba still wants to leave despite being excited about playing with Bruno Fernandes, according to reports in Italy. The France international remains injured and will be sidelined for this evening’s FA Cup showdown with Derby County at Pride Park.
Manchester United nearly lost Pogba back in the summer, with the 26-year-old telling Ole Gunnar Solskjaer he wanted out.
Real Madrid were his preferred destination, with the 2018 World Cup winner even publicly admitting he’d like to pursue a ‘new challenge’ elsewhere.
United were able to keep Pogba but he’s endured a frustrating campaign, being limited to just seven appearances in the Premier League.
Since then, United have forked out on Fernandes, who touched down from Sporting Lisbon in January.
It’s previously been reported that Pogba is looking forward to playing alongside the Portugal international once he returns to full fitness.
But, despite that, Italian newspaper Tuttosport say the Frenchman is still keen to leave the club.
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The prospect of Pogba and Fernandes being in the same midfield has generated excitement among the fans.
But it may only be temporary.
Pogba, the report says, is toeing the line in order to keep United on-side.
He knows he has a better chance of securing a move away from Old Trafford if he doesn’t rock the boat.
And Pogba still feels that his own personal ambitions would be realised should he secure a move away from United.
There have been mixed messages regarding how much the World Cup winner may cost any potential suitors, with Juventus also in the mix.
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United wanted £130million in order to sell Pogba in January but no club was willing to pay that amount.
They could now accept a lower fee to get Pogba off the books, but they’d still like a sizeable amount to help transfer pursuits of Jack Grealish and Jadon Sancho.
Meanwhile, former Liverpool star Danny Murphy thinks the arrival of Fernandes makes any Pogba exit easier.
“Ultimately the one thing I really love about him, as I do with any midfielder, is his ability to open a team up with his passing,” he said of Fernandes.
“He’s going to make goals and he’s going to score goals. He can play anywhere really.
“The fact he’s adapted so quickly has given United a better chance of getting in the top four, and I think it also means United now have the green light to say: ‘let’s let Pogba go’.
“You really wouldn’t want to keep Pogba and play him as a holding midfielder.
“Fernandes’ best position is as part of a midfield three or in front of two holding players. They can build the team around this fella, he’s that good!
“I wouldn’t be worried now [about losing Pogba], because Fernandes will score and make more goals.
“He’s more effective and more productive than Pogba. His numbers will be better than Pogba’s at Manchester United, I think – 100 per cent.”
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