Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer on Paul Pogba: ‘There is no point talking off-the-pitch’

Solskjaer: ‘You have to talk on the pitch as a footballer. That is where the proof is’

Mark Critchley

Northern Football Correspondent

Saturday 12 December 2020 17:27 GMT

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Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba (right) (Getty Images)

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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has challenged Paul Pogba to do his talking on the pitch after restoring him to Manchester United’s starting line-up for Saturday's derby.

Pogba's agent Mino Raiola claimed his client is eager to leave Old Trafford as soon as possible in an interview with Tuttosport published on the eve of United's crucial Champions League trip to RB Leipzig.

Solskjaer subsequently named Pogba among the substitues for a 3-2 defeat which saw United fail to reach the knock-out stages, though the midfielder scored off the bench.

Pogba has two goals in two appearances, having also scored in last weekend's 3-1 comeback victory at West Ham, and Solskjaer said that the 27-year-old had earned a recall after proving his fitness.

"He got his injury after the international break and missed out a few games there but he played and did his highest total of physical output against West Ham," Solskjaer said ahead of the meeting with Manchester City.

"He's getting back to shape and is fitter and fitter now, so should be ready to go again."

When asked about the questions surrounding Pogba's future off-the-pitch, Solskjaer told Sky Sports: "There is no point talking off the pitch anyway, you have to talk on the pitch as a footballer.

"That is where the proof is. You cannot stop good players from playing well if they concentrate on their performances and Paul has been focused on his football."

Line-ups

Manchester United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw; Fred, Pogba, McTominay, Fernandes; Rashford, Greenwood

Substitutes: Henderson, Bailly, Mata, Martial, Telles, Matic, Van de Beek

Manchester City: Ederson, Walker, Dias, Stones, Cancelo, Rodri, Fernandinho, De Bruyne, Mahrez, Sterling, Jesus.

Substitutes: Steffen, Gundogan, Laporte, Bernardo Silva, Torres, Mendy, Foden.

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