This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Speaking on talkSPORT, Ian Holloway has insisted Manchester United would be in a “much better place” if they simply sold Paul Pogba and reinvested the money elsewhere.
What did he say?
The France World Cup winner was the subject of intense transfer speculation over the course of the summer, with reports suggesting that he was being touted with a move to either Juventus or Real Madrid.
The midfielder also fuelled the exit talk by publicly admitting he would be open to a new challenge, and that a question mark still remained over his long-term future at Old Trafford. His game-time this season has been disrupted by injuries, and Holloway has stated that the Red Devils could bring in players who are better suited to their current approach than Pogba.
He said: “I’d put him in the back of my car and drive him off – go away! I would, sorry. Do you think they’re missing him? I don’t, not at all! What could you do with that money? If you look at Ole’s last three signings, I love them all, he’s done well. So if you get rid of Pogba and give Ole that money to re-buy, I think Man United will be in a much better place.
“The focus they had on winning and what it takes to win was there every week, every minute, all the time and that was put there by their manager (referring to Sir Alex Ferguson). I believe their new manager is trying to do that and some of the lads aren’t having it, and Pogba is one of them because he cannot do it week-in, week-out.”
Never-ending debate
Until Pogba either signs a new long-term contract with the club, or ends up sealing a move away, the debate surrounding his future will cease to stop. Prior to the Red Devils’ mightily impressive wins over Tottenham and Manchester City, the return of their Frenchman from injury would no doubt have been hugely welcomed – after all, he did manage 16 goals and 11 assists across all competitions last season.
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But those two wins have shown that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have found maybe the key to success, and they did so without their big-money signing. It alleviates any fears that they would potentially desperately miss the midfielder is he eventually left. The prospect of him leaving doesn’t seem so scary now for United.
Meanwhile, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer showed he is embracing his inner Jose Mourinho with his in-game management against Manchester City.