Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has no concerns about Paul Pogba’s long-term future at Manchester United after speaking with the midfielder about links to Real Madrid.
Pogba described the prospect of playing for Madrid as a “dream” while away with France during the most recent international break.
Zinedine Zidane, the Madrid head coach, responded to those comments this weekend by praising Pogba as a player, claiming few midfielders “bring as much as he does”.
Zidane asked: “If, when he finishes his experience at United, he wants to come here, why shouldn’t he come to Real Madrid?”
Reports in Spain have claimed that Pogba is reluctant to sign a new contract at Old Trafford and is considering a move to the Bernabeu.
But Solskjaer, who was appointed as United’s new permanent manager last week, revealed on Monday that he has received reassurances from Pogba about his future.
When asked about the midfielder’s flirtation with Madrid, Solskjaer said: “It doesn’t really concern me because my thought of action then is to sit down and speak to Paul.
“I’ve had my chat with Paul and we’re fine. He’s going to do his utmost here because he knows I’m very fond of him as a player and a person and he is important for us.
“There is no issue,” Solskjaer added. “He’s important here.”
Madrid have previously targeted high-profile United players, successfully luring Cristiano Ronaldo from Old Trafford in 2009 but missing out on David de Gea six years later.
Sir Alex Ferguson became so infuriated by Madrid’s attempts to unsettle Ronaldo, he infamously claimed he would not “sell them a virus”.
Solskjaer’s reaction to Zidane’s comments was more measured, and he claimed that Pogba was merely offering a polite response to a leading question.
“I don’t like to talk about other teams players of course, but this is another challenge with international breaks,” he said.
“Players are available all the time as well and it’s a different environment, more of a general talk.
“Paul is a very nice and polite man who then answered a general question on Zidane, who is an icon in France, a fantastic manager, he used to be a fantastic player.
“He’s just politely answered that question, but Paul’s happy here,” the Norwegian added.
“He’s gonna be a big, big part [of what we do]. I’ve always said you like to build your team around him and that hasn’t changed at all.”
