Italian side Juventus are preparing a mega £125m bid for former midfielder and France World Cup winner Paul Pogba. The Italian champions will attempt to re-sign the World Cup winner in next month’s transfer window. But despite the player being at war with boss Jose Mourinho, Starsport understands United are not prepared to let the French midfielder leave. With question marks over the future of the United boss himself, executive vice chairman Ed Woodward (left) will not sanction the sale.
Pogba is desperate to quit United after his relationship with the manager broke down. Woodward, however, still believes the French World Cup -winning midfielder can be a success at Old Trafford. He has been axed from United’s starting line-up in recent weeks and been publicly criticised by his manager. And if Woodward does decide to sack Mourinho, he believes Pogba, who has told his agent Mino Raiola he would love a return to Juve, could thrive under a new manager.
He rejoined United from the Italians in a club record £90m deal in 2016 but has proved a huge letdown. There was some good news for Mourinho yesterday after the FA accepted the decision by an independent commission to clear him of swearing into a TV camera after United’s match against Newcastle after deciding he had been unfairly charged.
United have also triggered a one-year extension in Anthony Martial’s contract to keep him at the club until 2020. Meanwhile, former United star Paul Ince has told Jesse Lingard to start concentrating on his day job. Lingard scored at Anfield but, speaking to Paddy Power News, Ince said: “He is simply not good enough to wear a Manchester United shirt. All we see on social media is his new clothing line, his dancing, trips to Las Vegas and Miami. In reality, he’s scored two goals all season.”