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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Mark Critchley

Paul Pogba: Mino Raiola says Manchester United midfielder’s Old Trafford career is ‘over’

Photograph: Getty Images

Mino Raiola has sensationally claimed that Paul Pogba will not sign a new contract at Manchester United career on the eve of a crucial Champions League decider.

In an interview with Italian media to be published in full on Tuesday, the super-agent publicly announced that his “unhappy” client has no long-term future at Old Trafford.

Pogba's current United contract is set to expire at the end of next season after the club triggered an automatic one-year extension two months ago and Raiola has said that Pogba will not extend his stay in Manchester.

“No point beating around the bush, better it be clear, look forward and not waste time laying blame,” Raiola told Tuttosport

"Paul is unhappy at Manchester United. He can no longer express himself like he wants to and like people expect him to. 

"His contract expires in the summer of 2022 but I think the best solution for all concerned is if he moves in the next window. 

"Otherwise, United, with whom I have an excellent relationship, risk losing him on a free transfer, since right now his intention is not to extend his deal. 

"If someone doesn't understand, they don't understand football. In any case, they can blame me if Paul leaves next summer."

Raiola’s comments come on the day that United travel to play RB Leipzig, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side needing a point from their final game in Group H in order to reach the knock-out stages.

Initial talks between the club and Pogba’s camp over a new deal made little progress and the midfielder recently lost his automatic starting spot amid injury and illness.

Raiola talked up the possibility of Pogba leaving United earlier this year - with Real Madrid and Juventus among his suitors - in comments which sparked a public war of words with Solskjaer.

United’s record signing - who arrived from Juventus in 2016 in a then world-record £89m fee - ultimately stayed put during a summer transfer window affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Pogba then contracted the virus himself while away on international duty with France, which he has since blamed for a slow start to the season.

The 27-year-old’s first league goal of the campaign inspired United to a 3-1 comeback victory over West Ham on Saturday, after which he encouraged his team-mates to rise to the challenge ahead of a crucial week for the club.

Pogba was pictured training with the rest of the United squad at their Carrington training base on Monday morning before their flight to Leipzig.

After their make-or-break clash at the Red Bull Arena, Solskjaer’s side face an Old Trafford derby against Manchester City this Saturday.

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