Paul Pogba says the time might be right to leave Man Utd again amid Real Madrid links

Posted Monday, June 17, 2019 by squawka.com

Paul Pogba admits he's thinking about having a "new challenge" amid reports linking him with a move to Real Madrid.

The 26-year-old Manchester United midfielder returned to Old Trafford in 2016 and recently enjoyed his best season with the Red Devils bagging 16 goals and 11 assists in 47 matches.

Will Paul Pogba leave Man Utd? Five things to know...

· In his three years since returning to United, Pogba has won the Europa League and League Cup.

· But they have also missed out on the Premier League top four in two of those seasons...

· ...and finished 24, 19 and 32 points off first place respectively.

· Pogba is reportedly the subject of transfer talks between Juventus and United.

· He is also said to be Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane's top midfield transfer target.

However, the Frenchman endured a mixed relationship with United supporters and was subjected to a volley of abuse in their final Premier League game, a disappointing 2-0 loss at home to already-relegated Cardiff City.

The season began with Pogba - who played a pivotal role in France winning a second World Cup last summer - receiving the captain's armband from then manager Jose Mourinho, but that was soon taken away from him, subsequently damaging their relationship.

Mourinho would soon be shown the door following a string of poor results, replaced by club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, who immediately got the best out of Pogba.

No one played more (27 appearances), scored (11 goals) or assisted (7) under the Norwegian coach than Pogba but that partnership could seemingly be coming to an end.

"Like you said, there is a lot of talking and a lot of thinking as well," he told reporters in Tokyo.

"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 somewhere else. I am thinking of this: to have a new challenge somewhere else."

Zidane is a big fan

The moment Zinedine Zidane returned as Real Madrid boss earlier this year all eyes were on their summer activity. Los Blancos, who suffered a disappointing 2018/19 campaign, have already strengthened by adding Eden Hazard, Luka Jovic, Éder Militão and Ferland Mendy to Zidane's squad.

And they are not done yet. Pogba is reportedly Zidane's top midfield transfer target and he's already expressed admiration for his countryman.

"I know him personally," he recently said. "He brings so much and there are few players who bring as much as he does."

"He's a midfielder who knows how to defend and how to attack, but he is not my player, he is at Manchester.

"He has always said that, after Manchester, Madrid has always interested him. So when his experience at Manchester ends, why not come here to Madrid?"