I want them BOTH! Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reveals talks are ongoing for Paul Pogba – ‘with £400,000-per-week deal on the table’ – and he says Jesse Lingard WILL have a role at Man United this season
- Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has just 10 months left on his contract
- The Frenchman registered four assists last weekend in the 5-1 win over Leeds
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer claims talks are ongoing with Pogba over the new deal
- Solskjaer revealed Jesse Lingard and Amad Diallo could enjoy first-team roles
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says talks are continuing with Paul Pogba’s camp to persuade the Frenchman to sign a new contract at Manchester United while he tries to keep the player happy on the pitch.
Pogba has just over 10 months left on his £290,000-a-week deal before he can walk away from Old Trafford as a free agent for the second time.
United are desperate for their record £89million signing to agree new terms, but so far Pogba and his agent Mino Raiola have shown little inclination to sign.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (right) revealed contract talks are continuing behind Manchester United and Paul Pogba (left)
Pogba was excellent in United’s opening day 5-1 victory over Leeds, contributing four assists
The 28-year-old was outstanding in United’s 5-1 opening-day win over Leeds last weekend, and Solskjaer is focussing on keeping Pogba happy on a day-to-day basis.
Asked for an update on the player’s situation, the United boss said: ‘Well, that’s negotiations with Paul’s representatives and the club.
‘For me and Paul, we work together every day here and we keep on trying to improve, improve the team and to enjoy ourselves. When you win games, you enjoy yourselves more.’
The Athletic reported this week that Pogba is set to receive an offer to become United’s highest paid player on £400,000-a-week, surpassing David de Gea as the club’s biggest earner.
Solskjaer wants to continue the winning mentality in the hope that Pogba stays at the club
Solskjaer also indicated that Jesse Lingard is set to stay at Old Trafford this season despite spending the end of the last campaign out on loan at West Ham.
Lingard is understood to be concerned about a lack of game time, but Solskjaer reassured the England international he has ‘a big part to play’.
West Ham want him back on loan, but are unwilling to meet the £25million asking price. Another loan doesn’t appeal to United because his contract expires in June.
Solskjaer added: ‘I think Jesse’s first priority is to get into our team. I think whenever your employer is Man United, that’s your first priority. It always is and we can have great moments together.
The United boss confirmed Jesse Lingard (above) will have a role to play at Old Trafford
‘As a manager with players and a squad like I’ve got now, it’s difficult to say they’re not playing because, of course, I’ve got to leave players out never mind from the starting XI but from the squad.
‘But they all have to remember and know they’re going to have to play a part if we’re to be successful.
‘Jesse is back to his fitness. He’s played really well in the behind-closed-doors game (against Burnley) on Tuesday and he’s come back bubbly and in good shape. He’s got a big part to play.’
Solskjaer confirmed that James Garner will go out on loan again, with Brandon Williams and Andreas Pereira set to make short-term moves to Norwich and Flamengo respectively.
Adam Diallo could end up staying at United this season despite reported loan interest
But Amad Diallo could remain part of the United squad after impressing since his return from the Tokyo Olympics where he represented Ivory Coast.
‘With Amad, I have to say he’s done really well in training,’ said Solskjar. ‘He’s come back a little bit later after the Olympics, he needed some time to get him back in and now he’s looking really good.
‘I wouldn’t be surprised if he stayed as well, but it has to be the right loan, right move, right club, right way of playing for any of our youngsters.
United face Southampton at St Mary’s next but Solskjaer wouldn’t say if new signing Raphael Varane or Edinson Cavani will feature after training with the squad this week.
It will be the first time the teams have met since United thrashed the Saints 9-0 at Old Trafford in February, but Solskjaer is taking little notice of that result because Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side had two men sent off.
‘That game was a one-off, a special game when you get a lad sent off in the second minute so I don’t count it at all,’ he said.
