Man Utd hatch Paul Pogba plan to fend off Juventus transfer interest

Posted Sunday, March 03, 2019 by Dailystar.co.uk

Man Utd hatch Paul Pogba plan to fend off Juventus transfer interest
Paul Pogba could be set to take the captain's armband off Antonio Valencia (Pic: Getty)

MANCHESTER UNITED have a plan when it comes to keeping Paul Pogba at the club this summer.

The Frenchman has enjoyed a huge resurgence in form since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's arrival at Old Trafford in mid-December.

Pogba was on the verge of leaving United under predecessor Jose Mourinho, who stripped him of the vice-captaincy after a number of public fallouts.

But according to the Sun, United are preparing to make the midfielder captain on a permanent basis when Antonio Valencia leaves the club.

The Ecuadorian has not been offered a new contract by the Red Devils and will depart on a free transfer in the summer when his current deal expires.

United's decision to hand Pogba the armband may be due to fresh reports that he could decide to quit the club at the end of the season.

Tuttosport suggest Juventus could land their former star once again should United fail to finish in the top four this season.

Ashley Young currently captains Solskjaer's side due to Valencia's ongoing absence.

But the outgoing United legend admits he is fighting to return before the end of the season.

"Lago Agrio is a very humble town in Ecuador. When I was a child, I never imagined travel to Europe," he tweeted on Saturday.

"Thanks to God for letting me play 10 years in the best club in the world: @ManUtd.

"Now I am focused on my recovery so I can end the season playing at Old Trafford!"

Speaking on Friday, Solskjaer discussed the 33-year-old's future.

“He’s still not 100 per cent fit, he is still working to get back fit and he’s had a fantastic career here at Man United and in England,” the interim manager said.

“He is one of the Premier League winners left in the dressing room but at the moment I’m not sure if Man United and Antonio will agree on the next year.

“So it depends if he gets back on the pitch as well in the next few months but he’s the captain, a great servant to the club.

"So hopefully I can get him on the pitch and show what he can do, or he can get himself 100 per cent fit and back on the pitch.”