Ferguson fights to keep Pogba

Paul Pogba featured in United's 2-0 victory over Stoke (GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester United have attempted to resurrect contract negotiations with 18-year-old Paul Pogba, despite Juventus' belief last week that they had wrested one of the club's prime teenage talents away.

The French player's Old Trafford future looked to be over with Juventus ready to offer him £800,000-a-year to take up a four-year deal, with a £1.6m deal for his representatives. But Sir Alex Ferguson giving Pogba an appearance as a substitute against West Bromwich Albion on Sunday seems significant and despite a deal with the Italian club in place, United want to persuade him to stay. They would be likely to secure only around £300,000 "training compensation" for the midfielder, who has yet to start a first-team game.