Pogba ‘leaning towards’ United stay
Following much speculation around his future at Manchester United, Paul Pogba is reportedly favouring signing a new deal at Old Trafford.
According to The Athletic, United’s emphatic 4-1 victory over Newcastle on Saturday had a constructive and positive bearing on Pogba leaning towards signing a contract extension.
The 28-year-old played an influential role in United’s win by providing two assists – taking his tally this season to seven in just four games.
Additionally, the summer arrivals of Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane are likely to have had a positive impact on the Frenchman’s mindset – with their impact evident for all to see already.
🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️🅰️
No player has 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 matched this tally in the opening four games of a #PL season 🔥#MUFC | @PaulPogba pic.twitter.com/a1KMQ5jYV8
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 12, 2021
Ronaldo marked his return to English football with two goals in Saturday’s triumph, whilst Sancho and Varane have also demonstrated their respective quality.
Pogba, who is into the final 12 months of his contract, was yet to give any indication that progress had been made in regard to agreeing an extension.
The midfielder’s apprehension to sign a new contract has understandably led United fans to worry that their record signing could potentially leave on a free transfer, with the club reportedly eyeing-up potential replacements should he leave Old Trafford.
However, while there has still been no significant progress in negotiating a new deal, this latest development appears to be a step in the right direction for the Red Devils and could see them bench their ideas of signing a Pogba-style replacement.
It seems that despite continuous links to both Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, which were magnified by a lack of movement in regard to contract negotiations, there is now real hope that the Frenchman will put pen to paper on a new deal.
Considering that the transfer window has shut until January – the month where the midfielder can begin to negotiate with foreign sides – it provides United and Pogba with the opportunity to make positive progression.
The excitement at Ronaldo’s return has undoubtedly spread from fans to his fellow players, with a ‘raise’ in standards expected the minute he walked through the door.
For Manchester United, the hope will more than likely be that the prospect of being part of the clubs’ latest successful period will be too much to turn down for their influential No.6.
Related links:
- Giorgio Chiellini aims Dybala dig at Cristiano Ronaldo
- Exclusive: Rio Ferdinand reveals Cristiano Ronaldo phoned him before United return
- No, Ronaldo’s return is not justification to end English football’s 3pm blackout
