Manchester United have ‘open dialogue’ with Paul Pogba over his future, says Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

Pogba's contract set to expire at the end of next season

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba (Getty Images)

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is keeping an “open dialogue” with Paul Pogba and accepts that there will always be speculation over the Manchester United midfielder’s future.

Pogba is enjoying an excellent spell of form and was voted United’s player of the month for January by supporters on Friday, but he is yet to commit to staying at Old Trafford long-term.

In December, Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola claimed that his client wishes to leave United and that a move in the summer transfer window would be the best solution for all parties.

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Pogba’s United contract is set to expire at the end of next season and his brother Mathias this week warned that the 27-year-old will leave as a free agent before agreeing any new deal.

Solskjaer has successfully downplayed and ignored speculation regarding Pogba’s future and maintained that stance on Friday, refusing to shed any light on discussions between him and the player.

“Speculation about Paul is always going to be there,” the United manager. “We’ve got a good open dialogue with Paul so what we talk about and how we see that situation remains between us.

“I’m just happy he’s focused and playing really well and he’s happy within himself and that’s important you can see Paul enjoying football himself with a red shirt on.

“Our conversations remain private of course. But Paul knows… for example Paul is a Man United player through and through he’s been here in two spells.

“He came as a kid, he’s learnt about the history of the club, the passion of the club he wants to do the best for Man United when he’s here.

“I think we’ve seen that, that he really cares for his team and he’s trying to be as successful as everyone else. Our conversations have to remain private.”

Pogba was rested for Wednesday’s record-equalling 9-0 win over Southampton but has otherwise had a significant impact on United’s surge into second-place in the Premier League table.

Since Raiola’s comments, the France international has scored vital match-winning goals against Burnley and Fulham amid several commanding performances in midfield.

“The answer is Paul has really knuckled down, he’s worked hard, he’s got his fitness,” Solskjaer said on the subject of the midfielder’s form.

“I have said this many a time he had a bad season last season with injuries and he had Covid this season and an injury, but he really works hard and is playing in a team that plays well and he’s a big inspiration for everyone.

“He always has a big smile… well not always a big smile because in training yesterday when his team lost you can see how that affects him and he wasn’t happy. But today is a new day and he is ready to go again tomorrow.”