By Daily Sports on July 4, 2020

Paul Pogba has rarely been happier at Manchester United and is keen to stay at the club, sources have told ESPN, with the turnaround in his mood in part due to his relationship with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Pogba, who returned to United for £89.3 million from Juventus in 2016, has a contract at Old Trafford until 2021, with the club holding the option to extend by another year. And with United still in two cup competitions this season and in a battle to finish in the Champions League qualifying places, there’s still plenty to play for, which is another factor in Pogba's improvement in mood.

Sources have told ESPN the France international feels in a good place, and his relationship with Solskjaer – who coached him when he was a youth player from 2009-11 – is said to be “great”.

Solskjaer has constantly talked up Pogba before and after the midfielder’s return from injury this season, with the United boss calling him “one of the best midfielders in the world” following the 1-1 draw at Tottenham.

The 2019-20 campaign has been difficult for the 27-year-old amid speculation over his future and criticism over his performances. But with the coronavirus halting football from March until June, Pogba had enough time to recover fully from an ankle injury that restricted him to just seven Premier League appearances before the pandemic hit.

Sources have told ESPN that despite constant links to Europe’s top clubs, Pogba’s main concern during his spell on the sidelines was getting back playing for United and proving those who doubt him wrong.

Since the restart, where he has combined well with Bruno Fernandes in United’s midfield, sources have said Pogba feels he has started to answer his critics. He came off the bench to win the penalty in United’s draw at Tottenham that Fernandes converted, and set up his teammate in United’s 3-0 win at Brighton on Tuesday.

Fernandes’ arrival has boosted United’s Champions League hopes with the club on a 15-match unbeaten run and Pogba, one of the leaders in United’s dressing room, feels they are making great progress and that Solskjaer is building a promising team.

In the past, he expressed his desire to play for Real Madrid but with the La Liga giants’ finances tight amid the coronavirus pandemic, it is not clear whether they would be able to fund a move this summer. (ESPN)

•PHOTO: Paul Pogba 

Source Daily Sports

Posted July 4, 2020

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