Paul Pogba: Manchester United confident midfielder will stay despite desire to leave

Real Madrid target confirmed he is seeking 'new challenge'

Manchester United are confident Paul Pogba will still be their player next season, despite the midfielder admitting for the first time that he is seeking a “new challenge”.

At a promotional event in Tokyo on Sunday, Pogba went on-the-record regarding his desire to leave Old Trafford, amid intense speculation and interest from Real Madrid.

“I am thinking of this: to have a new challenge somewhere else,” he said.

“For me, I have been for three years in Manchester and have been doing great; some good moments and some bad moments, like everybody. Like everywhere else.

“After this season and everything that happened this season, with my season being my best season as well, I think for me it could be a good time to have a new challenge.”

Pogba is currently under contract at Old Trafford until 2021, with United able to extend the midfielder’s existing deal by a further year.

United expect the World Cup-winning France international to report back for duty later this summer and remain at the club for the 2019-20 campaign.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has previously spoken of his desire to build his United team around Pogba, who initially impressed when the Norwegian replaced Jose Mourinho as manager.

Zinedine Zidane, the Madrid head coach, is a long-term admirer of Pogba and in March, he openly entertained the prospect of Pogba joining him at the Santiago Bernabeu.