Pogba belongs to Man Utd, not Mino, insists Solskjaer
Pogba's long-time representative has been at
loggerheads with the United hierarchy in recent years and angered the
Red Devils once more this week by casting fresh doubt on where Pogba
will be next season.
Raiola revealed on Thursday that he has
already had discussions with Juventus sporting director Pavel Nedved
about a possible return to the Italian champions from where Pogba
re-joined United for a £89m ($116 million) fee in the summer of 2016.
And Raiola also made it clear that if
United fail to qualify for the Champions League, Pogba will want to
move to satisfy his ambitions.
But Solskjaer still sees Pogba -- who has 18 months left on his contract -- as a key part of his future plans.
"I've not spoken to Mino that is for sure.
And, no, I haven't sat down and told Paul to tell Mino what he should
say. Paul is our player and not Mino's."
Pogba, 27 next month, has made only eight appearances for United in an injury-ravaged season.
He will be missing again when United take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Monday as he makes his way back from ankle surgery.
But Solskjaer insists Pogba is not
dragging out his return and is desperate to help United achieve
Champions League football, either via the Premier League or by winning
the Europa League.
"As a player the last thing you want to be is
injured and not be able to contribute to your team. Paul's a footballer
and he wants to play football," added Solskjaer.
"As a player, I was injured for a long, long
time myself so I know what it is like. It's a difficult period in your
career but it is part and parcel of being a player. You are always
running the risk of being injured.
"He knows that he has to work hard now to get
back to his best because he has been out for so long. It's a challenge
for him to get back to his best."
United have been offered a lifeline in their
quest to return to the Champions League next season with Manchester
City's potential two-season ban from European competition meaning fifth
in the Premier League could be enough to qualify.
Solskjaer's men are languishing in ninth, but
can move to within two points of fifth with a third victory over Chelsea
this season.
As well as Pogba, Marcus Rashford will also be
absent for another few weeks, placing a heavy burden on deadline-day
loan signing Odion Ighalo to score the goals that can haul United up the
table.
Ighalo has had a far from ideal start to his
United career. The Nigerian joined up with the United squad for the
first time on Sunday after a two-week precautionary quarantine following
his arrival from Shanghai Shenua.
However, Solskjaer has dangled the carrot of a
permanent move to Ighalo's boyhood club should be impress between now
and the end of the season.
"It's a loan but when you are in the door here
and if you impress it gives you a chance," said Solskjaer. "That is
exactly the same for anyone who signs, if it is permanent or a loan.
"If you impress as a player and as a person,
if you can help this group improve, of course there is a chance that we
will look at extending things."
Pogba belongs to Man Utd, not Mino, insists Solskjaer
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