Speaking in his post-match press conference, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has insisted Paul Pogba will still be at the club next season.

What’s the word?

The France World Cup winner has been the subject of intense transfer speculation for a number of months now, and things appeared to reach boiling point in recent weeks when his agent, Mino Raiola, lambasted the United manager and insisted Pogba is not his “property”.

However, speaking after the Red Devils thrashed LASK 5-0 in the first leg of their Europa League clash on Thursday, Solskjaer remained adamant that the midfielder will still be at Old Trafford for the following campaign.

Watch Manchester United Videos With StreamFootball.tv Below

He said (as quoted by Sky Sports): “Paul’s our player. He has two years left on his contract, a year plus the option of another. You can expect Paul to be here (next season), yeah.”

Vicious cycle

Here we go again.

Whilst Solskjaer’s desire to keep the Frenchman is understandable – after all, he cost United a then world-record fee of £89m back in 2016 – he is on the verge of making a huge mistake.

All the drama that surrounds Pogba and his agent just completely takes away focus on matters happening on the pitch, which ultimately, is the most important. But the transfer saga that has followed the midfielder, in particular from last summer when he was linked with moves to the likes of Real Madrid and Juventus, has only hurt United.

Raiola’s remarks to the media just add to the circus-like nature, and it’s something the Red Devils could do without. The club finally appear to be getting things back on track following Bruno Fernandes’ arrival in January – they have remained unbeaten since the Portuguese star’s signing.

Keeping Pogba in the fold next season just threatens to raise all these problems they have experienced recently, rising back up to the surface once more. It’s something Solskjaer has to avoid.

Meanwhile, this Man Utd star stole the show against LASK.