Pogba out of France squad after positive COVID-19 test
Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has tested positive for COVID-19, forcing him to withdraw from the France squad for the upcoming Nations League fixtures.
Reports in France surfaced over Thursday lunchtime that Pogba had been left out of Didier Deschamps’ squad for the matches against Sweden and Croatia, with the France boss explaining the 27-year-old had tested positive for coronavirus.
United confirmed what Deschamps told reporters in a statement: “Paul has been replaced in the French squad after testing positive for Covid-19. Everybody at United wishes him a speedy recovery ahead of the new season.”
There was a place in the France squad for Anthony Martial off the back of a 2019/20 campaign which saw him find the back of the net 23 times in all competitions for United.
Why United won’t try to sign Lionel Messi
It didn’t take long for Manchester United to be linked with a move for Lionel Messi after news broke of the Argentine’s decision to force an exit from Barcelona this summer.
Several bookmakers installed the club as fourth or fifth favourites to sign the six-time Ballon d’Or winner after he made clear his intention to find a new club before the start of the new season.
However, Tyrone Marshall details why United won’t attempt to sign Messi and why any suggestions that the Barcelona No.10 could end up at Old Trafford this summer are wayward.
United have maintained this summer will be somewhat unique due to the knock-on effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, so there is no way the club would be able to sanction a deal for Messi.
United confident of completing double deal
Manchester United are confident of sealing the signings of two youth players with Marc Jurado and Alvaro Fernandez set to move to the club.
The two Spaniards arrived in England earlier this week to complete a switch to Old Trafford with both players expected to join Manchester United’s academy ranks as promising talents for the future.
MEN Sport understands Jurado and Fernandez have yet to receive the international clearances required for their moves to be rubber-stamped, but United have no concerns that the process won’t be completed.
Jurado reportedly rejected a three-year contract offer from Barcelona to sign for Manchester Unietd while Fernandez failed to agree new terms with Real Madrid.
