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Juan Mata hopes fantastic and influential midfielder Paul Pogba will remain at Manchester United and help turn the city red again.
Three years after returning to Old Trafford in what was a world-record £89million deal, the 26-year-old has publicly admitted he is open to “a new challenge somewhere else”.
Those comments sent tongues wagging, as did agent Mino Raiola speaking about his client’s desire to leave amid interest from the likes of Real Madrid and Juventus.
But Pogba has knuckled down during United’s pre-season tour and was in good spirits at an adidas event held in Singapore’s Marina Bay on Sunday.
The World Cup winner clearly enjoyed himself and told the crowd that any aspiring footballers looking to reach the top should take a leaf out of Mata’s book – and the admiration is clearly mutual for a player the Spaniard would love to stay.
Show all 12 1 /12Transfer verdict 2019: Stay or go? Transfer verdict 2019: Stay or go? Stay or go? Transfer verdict 2019 Jack Pitt-Brook runs down the biggest transfer sagas awaiting us this summer and whether they will actually happen or not
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Transfer verdict 2019: Stay or go? David De Gea This has been the worst season in years for the best goalkeeper in the world. He struggled at the World Cup then his form declined over the end of a difficult season. Now he wants a pay-rise to get parity with Alexis Sanchez. United have not offered him that, but De Gea knows that PSG would give him the money that he wants. Juventus are interested too. He has one year left and so if United cannot make him an acceptable offer then his long association with the club could be about to end. Verdict: 50/50
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Transfer verdict 2019: Stay or go? Wilfried Zaha Always linked with a move to a top club, and this summer Zaha is keen to make that big step again. But having been rewarded with new long-term contracts from Crystal Palace in the past to ward off interest, his club have the upper hand over his future. So while there are plenty of clubs - like Arsenal - who might like Zaha if he was available for £40m, there is less appetite to pay the £80m it would cost to get him out of Selhurst Park. And with four years left on his deal there, Zaha is unlikely to get the move that he wants. Verdict: stay
Action Images via Reuters
Transfer verdict 2019: Stay or go? Mesut Ozil One of the great unanswered questions of the Unai Emery era has been the role of Mesut Ozil. Arsenal’s best paid and most famous player has been pushed out to the fringes this season, with Emery only appreciating in games where he will not have to do too much physical work. Over the season he started just 20 of Arsenal’s 38 league games. The problem is the ludicrous contract he was given in January 2018, a decision that Arsene Wenger soon came to regret and that has hamstrung Emery too. It means there are no takers for him, and he has no interest to leave. Verdict: stay
Reuters
Transfer verdict 2019: Stay or go? Ilkay Gundogan Pep Guardiola’s first signing at Manchester City finished the season in the best form of his time at the club, instrumental in City’s 14-game winning streak that secured them the title. But his future is not clear. He only has one year left on his contract and has dragged his heels on signing a new one, knowing that at 28 years old this could be the last big contract of his career. Guardiola said at Wembley on Saturday night that if he does not sign then he will be sold, with Barcelona interested in signing him. There will need to be a breakthrough in negotiations to keep him at the club. Verdict: 50/50
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Transfer verdict 2019: Stay or go? Alexis Sanchez Like Pogba, a man United were delighted to sign but who has not quite delivered on that promise during his time at Old Trafford. Like Ozil, a player who has proven difficult to move because of the contract he negotiated 18 months ago. Sanchez earns more than £500,000 per week and not many other clubs want to pay that. Only now from Inter Milan is there serious interest, with talks now open on a move, with Untied keen to write off a badly-judged investment. Verdict: go
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Transfer verdict 2019: Stay or go? James Maddison It was only Maddison’s first season in the Premier League but he created more chances than anyone, finishing up with over 100, split evenly between set pieces and open play. He has played with the same confidence and ability he showed all the way through his young career so far, at Coventry City, Aberdeen and Norwich City. The only question is what next. Manchester City, Liverpool and Spurs have been following Maddison his whole career but he has always put football first. And while that interest is still there, he is not expected to leave Leicester yet. Especially given the recent arrival of Brendan Rodgers. Verdict: stay
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Transfer verdict 2019: Stay or go? Christian Eriksen For most of this year the presumption at Spurs was that this would be Christian Eriksen’s last season. Because he had one year left on his deal and was not signing a new one. Real Madrid would be his destination and Spurs were already lining up replacements. But there have been plenty of changes at Madrid recently, with Zinedine Zidane coming in and changing their transfer plans. Now the transfer is less certain and there are is even talk of fresh transfer negotiations. His departure is not inevitable yet. Verdict: 50/50
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Transfer verdict 2019: Stay or go? Harry Maguire With Vincent Kompany off to Anderlecht, and Nicolas Otamendi likely to leave too, Manchester City want a new centre-back. According to the Mail, they have identified Leicester’s Harry Maguire. He knows the league and would also help them with their home-grown quota for their Champions League squad. But as a 26-year-old England international at an established Premier League side, he is not going to be cheap. Verdict: go
Reuters
Transfer verdict 2019: Stay or go? Jadon Sancho Manchester United made Sancho their top transfer target for this summer and were willing to pay £100million to get the teenager out of Borussia Dortmund. But that move will now not be happening, Sancho and his advisers having decided that Old Trafford would not be the right environment for his development. While a move is still theoretically possible - if PSG or Real Madrid pay the asking price - it is far more likely that the 19-year-old Sancho will stay at Dortmund for another season of development now. Verdict: stay
AP
Transfer verdict 2019: Stay or go? Toby Alderweireld It speaks volumes to Mauricio Pochettino’s motivational powers that he has got such a good season out of Alderweireld when it looked last summer as if player and club were set to part ways. Alderweireld wanted a move to Manchester United last summer but there was never an agreement on price so he had to stay. Spurs have taken the option in his contract, which means he will be available this summer to any team who pays £25million for him. This will surely be the point when his four-year spell at the club ends, with one of the richer teams likely to see him as a perfect short-term defensive solution. Verdict: go
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Transfer verdict 2019: Stay or go? Paul Pogba When Zinedine Zidane return to the Real Madrid’s manager’s job he made Paul Pogba a priority and now it depends on how much Madrid want to back him. Pogba himself is interested in a move to Madrid, and has been for years. And while Pogba’s form did improve after Jose Mourinho’s departure at Christmas, there is also a view at Old Trafford that they would be better off without a player who is so inconsistent, and who some view as a negative dressing room influence. United would still need to recoup most of the £89m fee for him to sell, however. Verdict: 50/50
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“We all know Paul and he’s a fantastic midfielder and he’s a very good guy, very positive, good influence for everyone,” Mata said.
“I think he’s happy, he brings everyone together.
“But I cannot speak for other people. I cannot speak for myself, for my present and my future in the club.
“And obviously as a team-mate, and as a friend also, I would like him to stay and to be happy because he is a very good player for us, but I cannot say much else.”
Juan Mata wants Paul Pogba to stay at the club (Getty) Pogba is not the only United player whose future is under scrutiny, but there is no doubt about where Mata’s future lies.
The 31-year-old was out of contract at the end of the 2018-19 season and talks over an extension had long been at an impasse, but a deal was struck to extend his stay with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side until at least 2021.
“There were some options to go to a different club, but I said it before the feeling of being a Manchester United player is so unique,” Mata said.
“I am very happy to stay here. I am dreaming about winning big trophies at this club.
“I cannot wait to win a big trophy and celebrate with all the fans because they deserve it.
“I am very happy to extend my time in Manchester. I am very happy in the city, so it is all great and I am proud to be a player of this club.”
Upon renewing his contract, Mata said he wanted to turn the area back red after Manchester City’s recent dominance.
Reminded of that comment, he said: “Hopefully. We want that.
Show all 22 1 /22Player ratings from Manchester United vs Leeds Player ratings from Manchester United vs Leeds Sergio Romero 7 out of 10 Great save with his feet early in the first half after Leeds began growing into the game and very few errors with not much else to deal with.
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Player ratings from Manchester United vs Leeds Aaron Wan-Bissaka 8 The first signing of Solskjaer’s defensive revolution looks to be a good one. Defensively sound and an assist in the first half will give fans plenty of hope.
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Player ratings from Manchester United vs Leeds Eric Bailly 6 Clumsy clearances and passes when put under pressure overshadowed the few good challenges he made. United will feel that they still need a new centre-back.
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Player ratings from Manchester United vs Leeds Victor Lindelof 8 By far the better of the two centre halves. Continuous composure consistency in what was fierce game at times.
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Player ratings from Manchester United vs Leeds Marcos Rojo 6 Never tasked with much to do. Barely noticeable for most of the half in which he played, which isn’t the worst trait for a defender.
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Player ratings from Manchester United vs Leeds Scott McTominay 7 Often the catalyst for much of United’s penetrating attacks, McTominay offered plenty in both defence and going forward.
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Player ratings from Manchester United vs Leeds Paul Pogba 8 Manchester United’s best midfielder on the day and got the crowd up off their feet on plenty of occasions with a couple of audacious shots and moments of skill.
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Player ratings from Manchester United vs Leeds Juan Mata 7 Much more effective as one the three central midfielders. Caused the Leeds defence plenty of problems, often drawing fouls in decent attacking positions.
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Player ratings from Manchester United vs Leeds Daniel James 7 Yet another exciting cameo from the 21 year old. Will be facing a fight for his place on the left flank from Martial, but didn’t do himself any harm here today.
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Player ratings from Manchester United vs Leeds Mason Greenwood 8 The scorer of the first goal, and always looking likely to grab another, Greenwood will be a pleasant sight for sore eyes on the right wing after a couple of years of failed experiments.
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Player ratings from Manchester United vs Leeds Marcus Rashford 8 Took his goal brilliantly and unfortunate not to have at least one more after striking the post and a couple of chances whistling wide of the post. Lethal on the break and unnerved the Leeds defence every time he had the ball, Rashford will surely be United’s striker come the start of the season.
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Player ratings from Manchester United vs Leeds Joel Pereira 6 Had very little to do in the second half as the game progressively slowed. A few wayward kicks alongside some safe catches means he won’t have done himself any harm.
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Player ratings from Manchester United vs Leeds Diogo Dalot 6 Again, a relatively quiet showing for the Portuguese full-back. Outshone by Wan Bissaka from the first half and didn’t offer anything of note, either positively or negatively.
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Player ratings from Manchester United vs Leeds Phil Jones 7 Did well to head home from the corner for his goal, and martialled the defence extremely well, even if he was going into challenges a little too eager at times.
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Player ratings from Manchester United vs Leeds Chris Smalling 6 Like much of the squad in this second half, Smalling didn’t have too much to do. Coming through this match unscathed should do his confidence some good.
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Player ratings from Manchester United vs Leeds Ashley Young 4 Young wouldn’t have done his relationship with United supporters any favours in this match. A couple of rash challenges while ineffective in defence and attack, the sight of a thriving Wan Bissaka will be a godsend for fans.
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Player ratings from Manchester United vs Leeds Andreas Pereira 7 Positive outing from the Brazilian and unlucky not to get a goal alongside his assist. Will get more first team minutes this season on the flanks if his form continues
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Player ratings from Manchester United vs Leeds Nemanja Matic 5 Poor 45 minutes from the Serbian. Seemingly not up to the pace of the game, he has perhaps just lost his place in the starting eleven to Scott McTominay.
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Player ratings from Manchester United vs Leeds Tahith Chong 7 Got fans off their feet with some sublime pieces of skill at times. Won every tackle, barely gave the ball away, and was fouled for the penalty after deceiving the Leeds defence.
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Player ratings from Manchester United vs Leeds Angel Gomes 7 The star of the second half, Angel Gomes was almost immaculate in possession with composure and astute link up pay. A definite option for United should they want to play someone in that free role.
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Player ratings from Manchester United vs Leeds Jesse Lingard 5 Jesse Lingard may find himself struggling for minutes this season. There are clearly better options for United on the right hand side, and with rumours of United soon bidding for Sporting’s Bruno Fernandes, it’s hard to see where he fits after a tame performance.
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Player ratings from Manchester United vs Leeds Anthony Martial 7 A solid outing from the Frenchman, often terrorising the opposition with his pace and unpredictability while tucking his penalty away nicely.
Manchester United via Getty Imag
“This club has won more trophies than any other club in England. We want to win big trophies again.
“That is what the history of this club deserves. That is what the fans deserve.
“We know we have to improve. We know we have to do a better season than last season.
“But again, I extended my contract and I am very proud and happy to be here because I think we have very good people in the dressing room, good people with the manager.
“We want to improve. We want to win. We are working towards that objective.”
There does appear to be a growing belief within United that they can get back to challenging for trophies in the coming years.
David De Gea appears poised to sign a new, long-term deal, which would be a welcome shot in the arm on a personal and collective level for Mata, who has already seen one compatriot depart this summer after Ander Herrera left for Paris St Germain.
“Obviously David is the best or one of the best goalkeepers in the world for sure,” Mata added.
“He is one of my best friends, so I want him to stay.
“On a professional level, it will be great for us if he stays because he will give us many points over the next seasons. I am very happy if he stays.
“Obviously Ander is a good friend also, I am sad to see him leave but as a friend I wish him the best and I hope he is happy in Paris now.”
PA
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