Solskjaer: "I'm can assure you Pogba will be at United next season"
The Manchester United manager was asked about the possibility that the French midfielder could be sold to Real Madrid this summer.
Paul Pogba's situation at Manchester United was the dominant theme in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's press briefing this morning. The United manager answered several questions relating to Pogba, who has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford this summer. Those rumours have only intensified since the player's agent, Mino Raiola, reportedly cancelled a meeting with club officials last week, leaving United's directors none the wiser as to whether the midfielder will see out the rest of his contract or ask to leave.
Pogba is one of the players Zinedine Zidane wants as part of his rebuilding project at Real Madrid and that would be an appealing move for the player. But when asked about the chances of losing the player to Madrid, Solskjaer replied, "You can't guarantee anything in football but yes, I think Paul's going to be here, I can assure you he's now very determined to succeed at United".
Pogba is only human - Solskjaer
The French midfielder has drawn criticism from fans and former players, including ex-United captain Roy Keane, who he infuriated with his comments to Sky Sports ahead of Wednesday's derby. Keane, never one to mince his words, seethed: "I don't believe a word that man says". Solskjaer defended his player and his fighting talk, saying today, "That's just the standards he sets because when he's creating chances and scoring goals - he's doing loads of work; that's just media, supporters... everyone looks to Paul. He's done fantastic for us. He's a human being as well and we're all the same; we want him to do well, he's a leader in that dressing room and on the pitch".
The United boss reiterated his belief that the whole matter will blow over and Pogba will still be at the club next season. "Going back to whether I can give a guarantee - I would really, really, say yes, I can guarantee [Pogba will stay] but in life you can never, but he will be here as far as I'm concerned", he added.